New guy - Dumb instrument panel question

[68StepsideMF]

Hey guys - I've been reading the board for awhile, but this is my first post. Apologies in advance for asking such an inane question.
I'm driving a 68 stepside, which I'll post some pictures of if I ever get around to developing the film. Not that it's much to look at right now...

Anyway, tried to remove the instrument panel last night - remove the support-thingy under the steering column, pulled off all the knobs, disconnected the speedo cable/wiring harness/etc., but the damn thing's still held in by the little knob-bezel-rings. What holds these on, and why can't I figure out how to get them off? Are they connected somehow behind the panel, or do I just need to pry them off? What's the secret?

Again, I know you've been over this a dozen times, but it's really driving me crazy.

On an unrelated note, the truck's been leaking oil since I got it. I replaced the valve cover gasket, since it was spraying out of there, and then discovered it's also leaking from the seams of the oil pan. Is there any way to replace the oil pan gasket without lifting the engine?

Thanks a lot