For some reason this almost sounds like a trick question??? I've never had trouble pulling the timing cover. Pull the Belt. I'm not sure if the water pump has to come off, but I have always done the timing chain and the water pump at the same time. Pull the harmonic balancer, take out the bolts common to the block and the bolts common to the pan, lift/ tilt the cover off. There may be some accessory brackets involved as well. It's much easier to work in the area if you pull the grill and radiator.