ORIGINAL: roadtripessentials
You have to remove the liner first. then the rod will come off the crank pin.
Sorry, I forgot to mention that but the liner was out. The liner came out with the head. When I was trying to get it apart, I had everything off of the engine I could get off. Head, sleeve, backplate, and muffler. I left the carb on.
I couldn't get it off brand new and I can't get it off now with almost a quart of fuel through it for break-in. Everything inside looks brand new.