I am in the process of removing the head to do the gasket and have everything off except the timing chain. I have removed the sprocket from the camshaft but cant get the chain off the sprocket to free up the head. Do I need the long screwdriver to back off the tensioner as I have read on other posts? Please help, I've done a gasket on a toyota dohc that was easier! lol

no, you do not need to remove the chain off the camgear. Directly under the cam gear, there should be a bracket for the cam gear to sit on with chain. the head needs to be pulled straight up to remove

no, you do not need to remove the chain off the camgear. Directly under the cam gear, there should be a bracket for the cam gear to sit on with chain. the head needs to be pulled straight up to remove
as above if you remove the gear from the timing chian you are going to have heaps of stress

I am in the process of removing the head to do the gasket and have everything off except the timing chain. I have removed the sprocket from the camshaft but cant get the chain off the sprocket to free up the head. Do I need the long screwdriver to back off the tensioner as I have read on other posts? Please help, I've done a gasket on a toyota dohc that was easier! lol

Read the manual.
Cam chain stays on the cam sprocket. It's important the chain is kept with some tension on it so it doesn't jump teeth on the small bottom sprocket. If the support that the sprocket is supposed to rest on is missing it's because someone before you had the head and front cover off. Later model 2.6s have a tensioner that needs releasing with a long screwdriver or stiff welding rod so that the sprocket can be lifted back onto the cam on reassembly.

Thanks for the answers guys. Helped me out nicely :)