I have the Roller Master timing set.  The timing gear on the crank is pretty tight.  How should I approach it's removal?  I have stuff that I can pry with but I don't want to mess it up.  Of course, I can't just take the chain off and use a gear puller.  The only thing I'm coming up with is heat and careful prying.

I can get the cam gear off by hand.

This is the culprit:

Lawrenceville, GA

I'm going to suggest two pry bars with one on each side of the crankshaft gear.  Doing a light see-saw motion with the pressure alternating on each side of the crank gear may do what you need.  I've got two heavy duty screw drivers that work well for this.  I do like using gear pullers for removing stubborn crank gears but in this instance, the gear puller could damage the chain.  In most instances, the chain has worn enough that the camshaft gear can be removed first.

If it still appears that much more pressure is going to be applied than you feel comfortable with, then take two thin pieces of steel or aluminum placed behind the gear to help the pry bars more evenly distribute the pressure.  At this point, you'll likely need another set of hands to hold everything in place while you try see-sawing the gear forward enough to remove the camshaft gear.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Charlie:

In addition to what Ted said, here are a couple more suggestions.  You can get the chain off by removing the distributor and pushrods, turning the engine upside down to make sure the lifter are out of the way (turn the engine over a couple times to make sure), remove the cam gear retaining hardware, and gently drive the cam backwards to pop out the rear cam plug and the cam gear and chain will come off.

Also, a little heat on the crank gear may help.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Thanks guys!

I didn't like prying on the timing chain so I knocked out the cam plug.  My gear puller wouldn't fit behind the sprocket so I then pried the sprocket of.  It really wasn't too bad.  Just tighter than I could pull by hand.

Here it is.

I'll get the block cleaned up tomorrow and take it to the machine shop Friday or Saturday.

Lawrenceville, GA