How do I remove the snap rings on my 1978 Ford 4600 shifters?

[VetLabBoss]

The plastic retainers on my tractor shift levers are worn out, leaking water into the tranny and jamming my shifter. There is a snap ring holding a spring which holds a plastic retainer that protects the shifter mechanism. I have to get that snap ring off before I can replace that retainer. Can anyone help me figure out how to remove that **** snap ring?

[PILOON]

By snap ring, if you refer to a ring that is about 330 degrees with little loops at the end, there exists inner and outer snap ring pliers just for that purpose.
Carried by most auto part supply stores and better hardware stores.
The best ones will have interchangeable ends some being straight and some bent for the difficult angles.