89 Chevy Pickup Thermostat repair

Hello, I have a 1989 Chevy fullsize K/1500 4x4 pickup. I went to replace the themostat & gasket and found that there is a bar running from the back of the tensioner pulley to the top of the themostat housing. None of the repair guides show it and I can't figure out how to remove it. It doesn't appear that it can be removed without removing a good portion of the pulleys, but I was wonder if it can be cut off. Anybody have an idea?