So I just bought an 04 f150 with the 5.4l. It has the typical tick/knock sound. I came across some info to disconnect the VCT solenoid and if the ticking didn't stop that it would be the cam phasers. I was only able to disconnect the passenger side one today and I noticed that the ticking from the passenger was a lot quieter. When I plugged the solenoid back in, the noise got louder. Can I just replace the VCT solenoid for now until I get enough money to replace the cam phasers and install livernois lockouts? Can I just install the lockouts and will it be cheaper? Just added the video.




Thanks for any info.

 

Yep, replacing them might just fix your ticking completely. Ford updated the vct solenoids to fix the ticking caused by them. They are fairly cheap and fairly easy to change. There's a guide somewhere around here.

 

One thing I didn't mention is the owner said that it just passed inspection about 2 weeks and the place doing the inspection said they found a small exhaust leak. Supposedly too small to fail emissions. He didn't know where they found the leak at though.