97 C280, 104.94112089242 motor

[PlaneNuts]

Pulling the head to do gasket and valves at 256K.
Removed all 6 perimeter bolts and 2 coolant spigot bolts in center, but front cover doesn't want to come off. The MB WIS Cd doesn't show a connection to the intake cam through the adjuster on the cover. The passenger side seems like it's willing to come off, but the driver side (cam adjuster) is reluctant. Do I just need to be braver with the hammer and block?

Printed the DIY head gasket replacement article by Steve Brotherton. Per the article, I put crank on TDC #1 cylinder on compression (both cam lobes pointing to the sky) and tried to slide 4mm pins along the top machined surface of the head into the holes on the back of the cam gears. This can only be accomplished if the crank is at 5 deg ATDC. Engine has never been opened since new. Do I continue to remove head and just reassemble per article? If so why?