I have removed the front without taking off all the cylinders.

After I changed the bearings, and assembled everything (which takes a LONG time, and the exhaust collector ring is a B**tch to install) , I could not start my engine.......
I guess that maybe the timing was off, and I needed to check out the timing marks on the timing gears.

I was a bit angry with myself, and decided to remove the rocker arms, and take out te pushrods, then undo the bolts that hold the front cover, and removed the cover.
It came off quite easy.
Assembling it all is another matter, as you have to make sure the gears inside, and the pushrod covers all fall into place at the same time when pushing it all together again........but it can be done

I would not reccomend it unless you have had it all dis-assembled before, and know what is going on inside the engine though....