That sounds like my plan. I thought the gear would just drop into place. All went well but for the last 1/4". No press, trying to hurry before the gear cooled, and though I know better, I grabbed the swinging press. Just about there, one last tap (OK more than a tap) and an ear on retaining plate broke off. It is cast iron and didn't like the hammering.
Without a press, don't try it. Just spend the money and have a machine shop do it. If you need to replace the cam gear, do them both - it's not that tough to do the crank gear.
Don't be like me. Do it once and do it right.
