1st timer on my wife's 1993. Read through the Haynes manual to get a good feel for a fluid and filter change and went to work. Everything was progressing smoothly - even managed not to splash much fluid when the pan came down. I removed the filter and the next step is to remove the metal gasket from the pickup hole. I couldn't get it out by hand and the manual shows to use a screw driver to basically bend and pry it out be sure to state that I don't want to gouge the case.
I tried the screw driver and tapped it with a hammer and only managed to drive the screwdriver through the lip of the gasket. I tried to pry it out using the screwdriver in the new hole and only managed to tear through the lip of the gasket. I did notice a tiny bit of scarring on the case where I was using the screwdriver so now I am scared to continue.
How do I get this thing out? Can I use heat? Any good tips?

Thanks

Use a gasket scraper with a wide skinny blade as a chisle. Wedge the blade between the case and seal and tap with a hammer crushing it to one side carefully. Should come out easy after that.

Use a gasket scraper with a wide skinny blade as a chisle. Wedge the blade between the case and seal and tap with a hammer crushing it to one side carefully. Should come out easy after that.

Ah, thanks, I will try that. Will the little bit of gouging I did cause a problem? Should I try and sand it down or something before putting in the new gasket?

Thanks for the help!

Got it out with the gasket scraper and the new one is in and all buttoned up. Thanks for the help, you made my Friday!