On the 3.5EB engines: are the cam phasers on the same oil galley as the main bearings? If not maybe they should be due to cold startup noise. Priority main oiling system. I'm still looking for preventative measures of phaser failures.
Pre oiling systems?

 

No.
BUT they are so far away that it wouldn't matter.
Beside the primary failure point of the cam phasers is not the oiling. It is that the keeper mechanism that locks them into the fully advanced position wears over time and eventually stops engaging.

OPINION TIME:
If this continues to be an issue for Ford, I think they should simply increase cranking time to get oil pressure up to the phasers before the engine fires. Boom Problem solved.

 

Yes! I agree thats where a pre- oiling priming system could work. Or hold pedal to the metal while cranking to defuel injectors to bring up pressure on a cold engine

 

Unfortunately, having to hold the pedal de-facto defeats using remote start. I've asked a few tuners who are quite knowledgeable and no one can think of a way to increase crank time prior to introducing fuel.

 

The extended crank willl not work. My truck takes about 9 second to build oil pressure with the floored throttle method on a cold start. That is a lot of cranking.

 

Just had mine succesfully replaced @ Planet Ford, in Spring Texas...So far, So good! Going on 3 weeks...

 

What year truck? do you mind sharing the part numbers they used for the cam phasers?

 

Anti drainback valves would help.