So im in the process of replacing my clutch and flywheel and need to replace my rear main seal.

Thing is i cant seem to take the rear main seal retainer off, ive read that i would need to be careful when taking it off so i dont scratch anything but that does not seem possible as it seems there is some type of rubber gasket sealant smudged all over the bottom of the retainer, and it seems there is oil leaking out of that as well.

What should i do? scrape away at it with a knife?

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

I did a similar task on my '86na. Get lots of light under there, get yourself into a comfortable position and use one of those cheap paint scrapers that holds a single-edge razor blade firmly and lets you adjust the blade height. It all comes off pretty easy when you are doing it right. You are right not to gouge the steel so keep the flat edge of the razor at the lowest angle possible as you push slowly, straight forward. No sideways scraping or you will gouge the steel. Clean what remains with strong solvent and a terry rag