1995 Tacoma 2.7L cam timing

I would like to ask a question about cam timing on a 1995 2.7L. To explain, a removed the cylinder head to replace a blown head gasket. I wired the timing chain up tight so as to retain its relationship to the crankshaft sprocket. After putting the head back on and the cams in, I rotated the crank to TDC a few times and became aware that there is no way that I was going to get the "gold plated links" to line up with the mark on the cam sprocket while maintaining the alignment marks on the back of the cam gears.
In the shop manual it indicates that the cam timing marks should be on the same plane as the centerline of the cam gears. This can be verified by measuring the distance from the plane of the valve cover mating surface to the centerlines of the cam gears. Then, you could rotate the cam gears until the alignment marks are the same height as the C/L of the gears.
Long story short, I don't want to remove the front cover to align the "gold plated link" with the mark on the cam gear. I think if you have the crank at TDC and maintain the cam gear marks as previously described and have the slack out of the chain, you should be able to nail the cam timing. Yes, there is some risk involved but then too, a tooth off is fairly obvious. I'm saying damn the gold links maintain the cam timing!
With that, I will jump off in to the piranha pool...Any takers?

 

Just line up the timing marks. You wont get the gold links to line up without removing the cover

 

A belated thanks for your advice, I appreciate it!

 

You get it running?

 

Sure did. It's running smooth and quiet. Thanks