here is a link to show how the cam gear is installed without damage to the gear.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...R0J9GHSOS56iz4
here is a link to a thread that talks about the gear removal and replacement while in the vehicle.
https://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/s...hp?tid/180710/
i wondered if you could cut the old gear off while in the engine and then remove the steel plate, do the bolt repair etc and when ready get a new cam gear and do the 475 degree heat trick to get it back on. of course the threaded camshaft trick could be used to suck the new gear gear on fully with a series of washers and a nut on a threaded stud in the end of the cam. cooling the cam with ice or co2 first, heating the new gear, and being fast with the install before the gear cools off may be easier than taking the engine apart. if you read the second link through it talks about dealerships using a prybar on the cam lobe for the fuel pump while they install the gear with a hammer. I don't recommend that trick. lol. the threaded stud in the end of the cam, a hot gear and a cold cam may just do the trick though. be careful with the thrust plate and spacer back there though, it shows them in the video in the first link.