Timeing set alignment question

Hey fellas, while your here. the book says dizzy has to come out. with a special tool needed, OR, have a buddy hold a screwdriver against cam gear to keep from buggering up plug @ back of block. Is this that critical? I`m thinkin if I could find a longer bolt I could run the cam sprocket on that way? what would you guys suggest if you cant find a helper? or how do you do it?