348 Front Cover

Guys - I posted a question about a problem I'm having in the 348/355 area by mistake, so am reposting here. I have the pan, timing pulley and nut off the front. Trying to slide the front chain cover off to inspect the chain tensioner, etc. Per drawings and some pics I've seen, seems that the front cover should slide off the pulley shaft and crankshaft without anything else really causing much interference. I've moved the cover about 1/4" out, and crank side is moving Ok but pulley shaft is not moving out of the case bearing... it's very stuck.

Anyone else had this problem? I even made up a 3/16" bar puller, but when the bar started bending, I stopped. Only other things I can do are use heat (wondering if someone machined/cleaned up the pulley shaft and installed with locktite!!), or remove front bearing circlip and trash a $138 bearing getting it off. Any input appreciated!
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