front cover on 93 sable

hi, i've got a 93 sable and am having a miserable time getting the front cover off to replace the timing chain. where the 2 long studs come through, the cover refuses to come loose there. all other places are loose, but i can't get this part to come loose. any tricks here?
also, are those 3 long studs that are threaded into the block or head going to have to be backed out so that the front cover can come out? there doesn't seem to be enough room for the cover to slide over them and out before the cover hits the frame of the car. help! thank you so much for any help. dean