I've got a '96 3RZ motor on the stand. I pulled the cams out to replace a couple valve shims, and I've discovered I don't have the slack in the timing chain to put the intake cam back in. With my old 22RE I could lever the timing chain tensioner to make enough slack to slip the cam back on, but if that's a tensioner I can see looking down the front of the motor, it doesn't budge when I try to lever it.

My mad google skillz have failed me, is there a trick to getting the chain and cog back over the cam without pulling the timing cover? For various reasons, I'd rather not go to that extent.

 

Why do you always figure it out right after you post a plaintive call for help?

The timing chain tensioner can be removed without pulling the timing cover. Look on the passenger front side of the engine for what looks like a blockoff plate - thats the tensioner. Unbolt it, pull it out, slip your cams into place, put the tensioner back. Hope this helps somebody else down the road.