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John's advice is good. Let me expand on it a bit.
Part of your timing gear kit should include a new brass retainer for the camshaft, which is held to the block by two bolts. Presumably you would install the new, unworn retainer before installing the new timing gear. When you remove the original retainer, the cam is no longer retained in the block. In other words, you could pull the cam out of the block toward you.
You do NOT want to do this.
If you pull the cam out more than about 1/2", the lifters can fall off the lobes. Then you must yank the head to reposition the lifters on top of the lobes. (I suppose you could turn the car over so they'd fall back....)
If you install the new brass retainer, lube it first.
The camshaft has a thin (maybe 1/4" or less) spacer ring that floats on the end of the cam, just inside the opening in the brass retainer. The big gear tightens down against this spacer ring. Be very sure that it stays on the cam when you reassemble everything -- otherwise, when you install the gear it'll squeeze the brass retainer 'tween the cam and gear (probably breaking the brass retainer) and the cam will be frozen solid. BTDT.
Timing the gears is easy. They each have a timing mark, and all you need do is turn the crank and cam so the marks align with each other when you install the large gear.
You'll see a small, square-headed brass bolt-like thingy sticking up doing nothing near the large gear. This is an oil squirter. You should confirm that it's clean and clear and that the tiny hole is open and aimed at the gears.
The only special tool you'll need is a large socket (1-7/16") for the big mutha nut holding the large gear to the cam. I bought mine at Sears years ago. You'll probably end up with a 3/4"-drive socket and a 3/4" to 1/2" adaptor.
--
Don Foster (near Cape Cod, MA)
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