The connectors are Packard 56 or 59 depending on the width. You need to gently squeeze them together to get one out. I used a pair of bent needle nose pliers. The spade has a little leg on one side that needs to be bent in so it will slide out. I think the "goop" is like dielectric grease to keep a good watertight connection. I did the same thing on both of my cars.
You can buy new connectors if you screw them up from multiple places online. I got them from this place.
http://www.texasindustrialelectric.com/_packard_terminals.asp
You can see the leg I was talking about in the photos. Only downside is to get the crimp right you might need a special crimper. I was doing both cars so I wound up buying a crimper set. The one I bought has multiple dies so I figured I'd have a use for it another time. LOL