If the 3.5L is like the 3.0L, then the cam sprockets are turned through the belt that is driven off the crank sprocket. If the crank keeps turning without the sprocket affixed, the the cams don't turn - causing the valves to become motionless - while the crank is still turning and the pistons moving up and down going bang, bang against at least some of the valves, unless there's a spot on the cams where all valves are recessed - and the odds of that are slim. I don't think the engine would run with a slipping crank sprocket.

Frank

'89 [color:"white"]G-Raider[color:"white"] [color:"black"]Supercharged 3.0L, MegaSquirt 2, lockup A/T, 2.5" exhaust, 172k, Cibie H4s/Oscar SCs, Hella Micro DE fogs, Cobra CB, Superwinch hubs, LSD rear/Aussie Locker front, Bilsteins, Lifeline AGM, Rust-Oleum