Yes the pin is tapered. Starting out at square one they come out IF one positively located the small end AND uses the correct near size drift AND hits it hard the FIRST time. However once it has been knocked on and it is now mushroomed to some extent the job becomes more tedious. First you need to positively located to small end. Then grind it flush with the cam lobe to remove as much mushroom as possible. Then grind the tip of a punch so it is slightly smaller than the pin. Then heat the cam lobe with a torch, must be hot, not warm, but not red hot. Quickly grab the punch and hammer and hit it good ONCE. 99 times it will move, if not do NOT keep on hitting it as you are doing nothing but mushrooming the pin. Heat it again and give it another hit. I have had one case were I had to cut the lobe off the cam, it was a very neglected engine that another person had butchered previously. I keep the pins here or order them from McMaster Carr.