I'm trying to remove my LT4 Extreme Duty timing set and I used an oversized Cloyes crank sprocket so there is NO slack. I had to press them onto the crank and the cam dowel simultaneously with the chain already around them. There is NO slack, even with the cam bolts out. I need to pull the crank sprocket out a little but I don't want to grab it by the chain (that's how I got the stock one off). I even just set up the gear puller with the claws on the chain but I chickened out. I know there's got to be a better way. Is there a special tool that goes behind the sprocket so that I don't grab it by the chain? If anyone knows, please help!

 

Does anyone know how I can get this timing set off?

 

I've been looking at your post and thinking, maybe you could try using the puller and a long screwdriver at the same time. Just go really slow. Put the puller on the bottom and try prying the top one with a large screwdriver. Just an idea.

 

Unscrew the 3 cam retaining bolts dude, since it still wont come off (why I dont know) put a screwdriver behind it. There isn't supposed to be slack, thats why its so fun to put them on.

 

Screwdriver won't cut it. Nor will the BFH. The cam gear won't slide forward more than 1/8". It needs to slide forward more like 1/2" to get it off the cam dowl. I can do it if the crank sprocket moves forward, but how can I pull it forward with chain all around it? I don't want to grab it by the chain!

 

if you take the 3 bolts off the cam sprocket shouldnt pivot down enough to come out?

 

you have to remove the THREE cam retaining bolts like u said u have done! then you need to pull your valve covers and loosen ALL of your rr's!!! then the cam will be able to spin downward letting you get the slack you need ive NEVER been able to remove my extreme duty chain without doing it this way! now that i think of it i couldnt remove the STOCK timing set without doing it this way

 

Here's a pic of what I'm trying to avoid:
http://z28.reanimator.org/stuff/crankpull1.jpg
http://z28.reanimator.org/stuff/crankpull2.jpg

in these pics i have slid the cam gear as far forward as it will possibly go.

the cam bolts are out, but there is no slack for the gear to rotate! I have tried turning the dowel to different positions too. When I installed the gears they had to be slid onto both shafts at the same time. The chain doesn't have much lateral flex.

 

Maybe I should cut off the cam dowel as short as I can, then replace it once the cam's out.

 

dude why r u beating around the bush pull the valve covers and loosen the rr's! then it will come off np! just do it before you break something then youll really be regreting it

 

Dude, I'm not beating around the bush! The lifters are out! The cam will turn! The chain is designed to have NO SLACK! The gears had to be pressed on AT THE SAME TIME! HOW CAN THEY BE PULLED AT THE SAME TIME! I don't wantto grab the crank sprocket by the chain!

 

I really don't see why that should not work. If the cam dowel is at 3 or 9 o'clock (or lower) and the 3 bolts are out, why won't it pivot down and create slack in the chain? I pretty much did the reverse to put my set on.
By the position in your pic, I can see how there won't be any way for it to pivot. The dowel is too high.

 

Will removing the oil pump drive in the back give the cam a little tilt?

Can you get to the cam retaining bolts on the block face and loosen those?

 

agreed, the cam should be able to swivel down along with the cam sprocket letting it come off easy. at least mine did that

 

Can't you just pull out the dowel pin. I've pulled out my pin with a plier and reintalled with a light hammer tap. That was a comp cam, not sure if it'll work with your cam.