Deve, you'll have to pull the timing gear to get the retainer off.(I think its called a thrust plate) For the freeze plugs, since you have the engine out, I always use a flat blade screwdriver on the edge of the freeze plugs and hit it with a hammer. That will "flip" the freeze plug and then use the screwdriver to pop it out.
Edit: You probably know this but when you knock the pistons out with that big hammer, cut you a piece of rubber hose and slide on the rod cap bolts to keep the bolts from scarring the crankshaft....and be sure to number the rods and rod caps as well as main bearing caps. You da man.
EDIT #2...when you put the cam retainer back on be sure to add a small drop of lock-tire on those two bolts. They can, and will, sometimes work loose, even with lock star washers, and when they back out into the timing gear things go "pop". Just trying to help.
