tiller83

The screwdriver trick does work on the 5.4. Unfortunately you do have to remove the cam to remove the lash adjusters, which involves removing the cam phaser. At minimum, you would need the wedge tool and an inch-lb wrench. Ford says to replace lash adjusters and phasers. If you have the time and money it would be best to also replace the timing chains, guides and related components. Can be purchased as a kit. FordTechMakuLoco.com has some good videos. Best also to replace bolts.

amtpdb1

My 2004 Lariat 5.4l 3valve has a knock on the passenger side in the back. I think it is a bad lifter. Two questions. Can the valve cover be removed with out draining the AC? The book says that the AC needs to be drained so that the accumulator can be removed. On the 3 valve, can the lifters be removed after popping off the rocker with out removing the cam? What do I need to replace in the process of doing a replacement of a lifter (valve cover gasket-seals......anything or is everything but the lifter reusable? Ant suggestions?
Thanks for any help. I have been looking for answers and pictures but have found none.

amtpdb1

Can you get the lifters out with out removing the cam on the 5.4l 3v engine? I don't know if my problem is the followers or the lifter as I have not opened it up yet. When you have replaced the followers, did the cam get damaged by the old follower?
Thanks

Martian

That question was already answered in this thread... very first page

amtpdb1

I asked this question as I have read on 2 separate occasions that some of them could be removed. I was hoping for some kind of clarification on the responses I have received.
Thanks for your time.

oldtrail

In my day of valve work, I would use a special nipple to hook to my air hose and screw in the plug port to fill the cylinder with air to keep valves from falling down while replacing the valve seals.

Thatguy1964.5-289

So just reading through this, if you where just after the lashers and didn't want to get into pulling the cam out. Could you not just remove the rocker arm's, then loosen the cam to tilt it a little and remove the lashers?

Eric Kleven

No.

The bores for the HLA's aren't in the right place to allow the HLA to come out with the cam in place. Cam must come out to remove lash adjusters.

You do not necessarily need to remove the phasers to pull the camshafts.

ibd2328

iTrader: (2)

Please don't try to loosen up or take out the cam with the rocker arms still on! Yes, the screw driver will pop them off and back on, wrap a towel around it if you think you will scare a lobe.

If you can't get a screw driver to it, then you sure arent getting a valve spring compressor to it.

Use the screw driver or other lever and they are fairly easy to remove. Use the same tool for putting them back in. I have done this 8 or 10 times to various 5.4 builds.

*Note: dont ever try to remove a camshaft if it is under pressure (by springs or chain)

Thats all.

2010HarleyF150

I'm making mental notes for the future, my truck only has 62K miles on it so far, good to see everyone helping each other out.