Trouble Removing the IMS Flange

[CdnRD]

Hey folks!

I'm at the point of pulling the IMS flange on my 01S and I lost my nerve a bit. Everything I've read says that it should not take a whole lot of effort to get it off. I tried prying it and it came out a bit - the point I can see some of the orange seal - and then it doesn't seem to want to come out. So far I've:
- locked the crankshaft at TDC with the pin tool
- locked the passenger side exhaust cam with the cam tool
- removed the tensioners on the back side of the engine (passenger side and center)
- removed the center stud nut and three bolts for the flange

A few observations. I can turn the flange in the bore without a great deal of effort. When I try prying the flange it wants to turn a bit rather than come out. Might be just the angle I'm prying at. I pulled the green plug off of the driver's side exhaust cam and the slot is not quite straight up and down. I recall reading that this is not unusual, that even the factory manual's diagram isn't perfectly north/south.

A few questions:

Am I fretting over nothing? It may be just a matter of putting a little more effort into it.
Is there anything you see about my steps so far that looks obviously wrong?
Should I be concerned about the position of the driver's side exhaust cam?

Thanks for looking!
RD