The key issue is to not push the camshaft rearward as you put the new timing sprocket on the front of the cam. The special tool is a safety measure that will prevent other more serious labor operations should the rear plug be pushed out of the block.
If, for example, you line up the new sproket on the front of the cam and then use the hold-down bolt to gently pull everything squarely together, instead of pushing the sproket onto the nose of the cam, there should be no need to push rearward on the camshaft and possibly damage a lifter or the welsh plug in the process. Patience and finesse are the operataive orientations.
Be sure to pour some oil over the newly assembled chain set and sprokets before you close things up. Even some cam/lifter prelube on the sproket where it contacts the block will help in the initial start-up phase as there is no pressure oiling to that area.
Follow all service manual procedures to make sure the timing dots are exactly lined up! It's very easy to get things one notch off and it look correct.
If, per chance, the Chrysler B/RB V-8s are configured as the small block Chevy V-8 is, when the timing marks are together, #6 is firing at TDC, when the marks are apart, it's #1 firing. But if you don't remove the distributor, you might not need to worry about that.
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