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I have a pot metal model R reproducer that I can't get apart to rebuild. What do I do?

You certainly have a problem on your hands. I have done one of these and have no desire to do another. The R is made in to pieces. The top section contains the diaphragm, gaskets and threaded ring. The The bottom section is made so that the top section fits into it like it would into a carriage eye. The bottom section holds the weight, needle - bar, hinge and limit loop/pin. Three screws hold the two sections together from the underside of the bottom section. The top casting is always potmetal, but early ones had brass bottom sections. If yours is brass, you are in luck.
To disassemble, first remove the needle bar, weight, limit pin and hinge block as you would to strip down a model H or C. Next remove the three screws. At this point the top and bottom sections should come apart, except they probably won't because of pot metal swelling. Resist the temptation to try prying around the rim to separate the two parts. All you are likely to accomplish is to chip the potmetal. The one I repaired had a brass bottom which gave me something to pry against, so I took a small screwdriver about 3/16" wide and bent the tip so I could get it between the diaphragm ring and the bottom section to pry the two apart. I ended up putting the reproducer in the freezer overnight which contracts the metal parts so hopefully they will separate. Take it out of the freezer and pry gently but firmly working your way around the circumference. The first time I felt a slight movement but it quickly warmed up enough that it locked up. I had to freeze it 3 times. On the second try I actually saw significant movement and the third time was the charm - out it came. Take your time, have patience and work carefully so that nothing breaks. When the two halves separate you will need to disassemble the top section as in any Edison reproducer. Once you get to this point you will need to file/sand the edge of the top section where it goes into the bottom to get a good fit that is not too loose but does not stick so the two parts can be easily separated. After this point, simply clean everything and reassemble. Take lots of pictures so you can be sure of where everything goes.
Sorry this is so long-winded, but I don't know your level of experience with Edison reproducers, so I wanted to be as complete as I could.

Good luck and PM me if you need to.

Jim