Camshafts Not Aligned Correctly

[opaul]

I recently noticed that my exhaust and intake camshafts were not aligned correctly (the engine was recently rebuilt). The alignment tool for this engine is a metal bar that runs across the end of the cams horizontally, and a pin to hold the crank at TDC. I tried to release tension off the timing chain to rotate the one cam, but that just made matters worse some how. Is is feasible that I just remove a sprocket off one of the cams, to release the chain, and then line everything up correctly? I'm trying to avoid having to remove the timing chain cover. Anything I need to worry about?

2.3L Mazda 3 DOHC

[vgames33]

I doubt you can fix this without pulling the cover to release the tensioner.

[opaul]

Why do you say that? Once the pulley is off the exhaust cam, what would be preventing me from getting both cams in alignment?

[vgames33]

Lining up the camshafts without the sprocket on will be a very tedious task. Then you will have to fight the gear back in there while its under tension, without spinning either cam or the crank.

[opaul]

Well I didn't need to remove the sprocket. Once tension is released, I can loosen the exhaust sprocket which allows the cam to move freely.

That being said, I had an issue where after I got everything lined up with the tension released, I would then rotate the crank to tighten the chain backup, and then everything would go back out of whack.