Please Help: Removing intermediate shaft.

Thanks guys. Thats the part I dont understand the motor only has about 5000 miles on it. From what I can see it still looks brand new inside. I tried tapping it back down to see if it worked looser for the distance it came out and it is as tight as it was the first time. I dont think its a crud issue but I dont remember the shaft being that tight when I put it in 15 years ago.

I have 2 questions.

1. If I turn the motor over with starter in an effort to loosen this shaft up will it help?

2. Will it hurt the main and cam bearings much if I turn the motor over with the starter? The motor hasn't ran for over 10 years.