have you tried putting some screws into the front endbell and using those for grip?
I dont know if I can type out exactly what I mean....
but the idea is to put two screws in the front endbell (longer than usual) and leave them sticking out a bit. Then place the motor (endball down) into a vice. Tighten the vice down onto the two screws that are sticking out. Then us some kind of a
strap wrench to wrap around the can and twist.