1973 Dart 318 flywheel cover removal-- should it be this difficult?

Stock 318. I removed the oil pan to change the rear main seal. I removed the center steering link, the exhaust pipe, the diagonal braces between the engine and trans, and the starter. The last obstacle was the sheet metal cover on the bottom of the flywheel. I ended up bending it to get it off. Is there an easier way to get it back on? The stud for the starter got in the way. Does that come off?