What’s the trick for removing the cam sprocket from the camshaft while camshaft is in the engine? What’s the best way to hold the sprocket to keep it from spinning while you remove the bolt? Would a thick screwdriver through the gaps do the trick, or is that likely to cause damage?
Yes I generally put a bar through the hole to stop it turning. I put some padding to stop marking the top surface of the head.
Be careful when removing the sprocket bolt to not drop it or the washers down the chain cover gap. Stuffing some rags in there to catch anything is extra insurance
The sprockets can be a tight fit on the cams and may need to be gently tapped off. As they come off be careful that the sprocket to camshaft dowel does not come out and drop down the chain cover gap also.
It really depends on why your removing the chain and sprockets. When playing with the sprockets and cams to do shim adjustments for example, I personally prefer to have the engine at mid stroke so any inadvertent cam movement does not result in the valves hitting the pistons. I only move the engine to TDC when I have the cams set right and I am ready to refit the sprockets and chain.
For sure it depends why removing Sprocket. If it is to replace wrong sprocket for correct sprocket TDC no problem.
But if to adjust Shims then position Pistons to half way up the Cylinder.
Alan