3RZ: What are the repercussions of taking the exhaust cam out without a service bolt installed?

The engine turned over, the last time I tried starting it. I'm working on taking the head off, and now the crank/engine doesn't want to turn, so I'm not able to set it to TDC. And it looks like I can't put a service bolt in the exhaust cam gears.

What are the repercussions of taking the exhaust cam out without a service bolt installed?

 

Ewe

I wouldn’t take off if not at TDC


If turning crank shaft bolt….doesn’t rotate?
Tchain off?

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, it's not turning with me putting significant pressure on the crank bolt (cheater pipe; one spark plug is stuck in the head). I don't know why it's not wanting to turn. It could be hydraulic lock (there seems to be quite a bit of oil that came out of the exhaust side of the head). It could be mechanical, but I think that would've happened when cranking it previously. I don't think it's the chains, but it could be.

I'm going to take the head off, so I can get the head and crank timing to TDC#1 when putting it back together.

I'm wondering how challenging it is to get the exhaust cam gears aligned with it out of the engine. I think that's the only concern in removing it without a service bolt installed.

 

Dang
That sucks

one can do the work w/out bottom end and top end both being at TDC
Just complicates things big time…especially with the top end(head)

If ‘hydraulic locked’
Simple solution to remove all plugs….then turn crank bolt with T chain attached
No doubt will turn


Lemme ask what exactly happened b4 to the taco b4 yur wrenching started?

(we could be discussing a mute point)

 

I had to take mine out without a service bolt as the last person in there put it back in without one. The service manual makes it out to be critical but if you just back out the cam bolts a little bit at a time it will be fine. You can chuck the exhaust cam in a vice and use a spanner to re-align the holes for putting the bolt in for re-installation. I would definitely put a bolt in for re-install (and remove once installed following FSM) as the tension is what gives the proper backlash to the intake cam gear.