Front plate problem

[PaulS]

So, I got my engine block back from the shop a while back, and the shop had (helpfully?) installed the camshaft for me.  But they left the front plate off.  (Even though they had it.)

So, now I'm in trouble...

If I could remove the camshaft gear without damaging it, could the gasket and plate be installed with the shaft in place?  If yes, my problem with this is that I never did the gear off.   And I just tried again, unsuccessfully.  I'm worried that trying any harder will wreck it, and there goes $90 plus shipping...  (I installed the crank before realizing there was a problem.  Does it have to be pulled before this is an option?)

Removing the camshaft from the engine is possible without removing the gear, as I did it before.  But I'd have to (at least) remove the springs from the valves, if not more.  Is that my best option?  What else do I have to watch out for if I do that?  I need to make sure it gets back in exactly right.

Probably the best option is to take it back to the shop and complain that it was their screwup to fix...  That will set me back who knows how long, though.  The darned shop is too far to go on my lunch break, so each trip there means taking time off work.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

-Paul

[PaulS]

Solved it with a puller similar to one posted on the Willys Military Jeeps forum.� The puller is this one: HERE� (The exact same thing is almost certainly available at Harbor Freight.)� I used bolts and washers instead of the legs that came with the puller, as I expected them to do less damage to the gear.



The only tricky part was getting the nut and washer onto one of the bolts.� Took tweezers and some very fine needle nose pliers.

-Paul

[specialty]

Glad you got it off. Some things can just be a pita for sure. Just walking away from it until the next day helps most of the time or things can get destroyed for sure out of frustration. Been there and done that to many times.