removing pushrods, remove valve train complete or undo adjusters?

You won't know if will come off easily OR NOT unless you remove the centre bolt.
It may be more easily done than you think.

Just a question.
It is the timing cover rear GASKET you are replacing I presume, I can't remember a seal there.

we've had the centerbolt & washer off, they are just resting there.... tried pulling and a gentle lever, didnt come off easy like the idlers do....there is no thread in the backing plate...we truely dont want to pull it out.....
Yep, i meant gasket

By the look of the gaps in the face you could easily use a rocker type pinch bar to ease the cam gear off the camshaft. Just make sure the bar uses the heads of the bolts.
Can't see it being difficult.

thank-you for mentioning this Ross... I had considered this but it sounded oh-so rough, criminal and simple that it surly couldnt work. Thinkjng about it a second time, the cam shaft is very thinck but the centre hub of the cog looks very thin in proportion, almost like a rim, ... ill give it a go tomoroow!

i also found the proper type of remover for it

Landcoaster - IMO, you will have to remove the camshaft completely to remove the gear - by placing it in a bench press, as the manual shows.

I have never had any success removing any camshaft gear with the camshaft still installed - they are a reasonably tight fit on the shaft.
You stand to damage the camshaft thrust washer by using a rolling-head pry bar.

The only camshaft gear I have ever removed in-situ, are the old Holden/GM fibre gears.
Smash the fibre gear off, and hammer and chisel the steel collar on the inside of the gear, until it loosens and falls off.
You can't do that in this case!

Cheers, Ron.

O.K. - you get the gear off using the puller shown - but how do you get it back on, without punching the camshaft through the far end of the block? Heat the gear up? You still have to hold the camshaft securely, somehow.

thanks for the thrust washer reminder Ron.

If i did get it off i was figuring it must screw in with some beefy washers because (big breath) in my manual it shows both methods sub-listing the oil pump removal which has different steps to the oil-pump removal in the general engine disassembly...

at any rate ive been working in both directions, removal of cog or cam.

I have also done another intersting thing in posting to a maths forum for a formula one how many turns until assembly timing marks line up.
I've accepted the marks, post assembly, hunt, but if it is a low enough number, like 76, it might be worth the exercise to proof against a one tooth timing advance.
On our 27 rev the crank marks lined up one tooth off and other cogs 2 teeth off. It has an aftermarket turbo, advancing stuff one tooth can overcome wear and timing issues, who knows whats been done in the last 20yrs. I just would have liked the reassurance of assembly timing marks ling up