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Just a note - in the most common reference book "Rebuilding the Small-block Chevy" the reference picture *is* upside-down Which instructions were you using?
You can loosen the pan bolts and then start removing them from the front working back until you can get the front cover off. Just be sure to add a little "goober" of RTV when you put it back together. It's a little "bubba-esque" - but it works.