After reading about cam phaser issues with several 3.5 owners, it seems to me that the plastic pin is the start of cold start clatter.
What has Ford done to eliminate the deterioration of the pin or its surrounding architecture. I'm not going to live with that sound at 50k.
Does the 2.7 and 5.0 have the same design? I haven't heard about any issues with the 2.7

 

That retention pin you are referring to is actually metal, it's the landing that gets rounded off and causes that pin to not engage properly on shutdown. There's plenty of Youtube videos showing the failure. The clatter is when there is not sufficient oil pressure to activate the vanes inside the phaser causing them to slap. Once pressure is there, they operate just fine. Ford states there is no damaging effects... but... yeah.

YES the 2.7 and the 5.0 have the same design.

SPECULATION TIME:
- It doesn't affect as many vehicles as you may think just to the overwhelming representation of the failures on this forum and the internet as a whole
- It is a FACT that Ford gave a new part number to the phasers which indicates an update to the part. The following rumors are what I've heard about the new/updated phaser.
> "the oil orifices are smaller" supposedly to help increase oil pressure more quickly during startup reducing wear (Unconfirmed)
> "the retention pin spring is stronger" again... completely unconfirmed.

Know how forums and social media works, these were most likely stated as a "they probably did these things" then passed around as fact.

ANYWAY. The 2021 F150s have the same generation of engine, but have a noticeably different looking phaser. Who knows about their reliability.

 

Thanks Kferigiez for your input on the cam phaser dilemma. On a previous post that I made about the phaser issue, was the implementation of a pre oiler but that would cost a few bucks. Where did you get your info on the revised phaser? So I need to make a decision on which one of the 3 engines that would be the quietest in my proposed 2022 and not to be one of Ford's R&D customers

 

You're going to have to show me this pre-oiler. You can generate oil pressure before starting the truck by cranking.... that's the most painless, albeit clunky

The info on the revised phaser is simply part number from Ford. You can look them up online and find the phasers change or replacement part number including schematics over the years. The 2021 phaser I've physically seen and are visually different. But all this tells you is that it's 'different'. It doesn't guarantee reliability.

OPINION:
It's my opinion that purchasing a 'pre-oiler' is overkill. This issue affects less than 50% of engines (with zero citation... just my best guess). A pre-oiler is useless unless it generates oil pressure in the engine which is what the phasers need.

Secondly. If you are considering a modification of a truck like that, you would probably be better served by the new Toyota Tundra. Toyotas in general are far more reliable than any domestically made vehicle. This statement may cue some folks to bring up their anecdotes of personal experiences, but the reliability data doesn't lie.

 

Aren't they made in San Antonio, TX?

 

One reason the Tundra was known for reliability is the 5.7L was the same from 2007-2021. While Ford made umpteen engine changes in that same time frame.

 

Plus it's an old, boring, ~66hp/L engine. And even those were known for coking piston rings, crankcase vent sensor failures, and electronic throttle unreliability.

 

Yes its an overkill for a street engine that has no Issues. Canton /Moroso sell oil accumulators that are charged when engine is running. Close valve on tank before shut down. Open valve 50psi of oil before the key is turned. But that is more for race situations when static cr is very high etc .A specific system for the E.Boosts would not be cost effective. My main concern then is Why this not engineered right from the factory.? If not then an electric motor oil pump that would start and charge before ignition. Then again cost. The new CEO of Ford wants to stop doing excessive warranty work. Well this would be a good start

 

My apologies. I should have been clearer to avoid confusion.

Toyotas are more reliable than “domestic” vehicles (I.E. Ram/Dodge/Chrysler, Chevy/GMC, Ford)

Yes. US sold Tundras are manufactured domestically, but are owned and operated by a Japanese manufacturer that has a better reputation for reliability.

 

The primary reason for this is they have a solution for low oil pressure at startup. A retention pin that keeps the phaser in the advance position.

The problem is they fail.

Redesign of a simple mechanical retention pin is much easier and more cost effective then an entire system to pre-charge oil pressure at startup.