Can't remove my VCT solenoids
 

I got my two new VCT solenoids in the mail, but I'm having issues replacing them. My power steering fluid reservoir is mounted over one, and I can't figure out an easy way to remove it. On bank two, I just can't get that one to budge... I'm not having trouble with the solenoid itself, but the black plastic piece that pops into the valve cover hole, surrounding the top part of the solenoid where the outlet is. I'm afraid I'm going to break it. Any recommendations? Maybe a bit of Kroil?

Your going to have to replace the seal also because it will get damaged taking it out. I am about to order a set of VCTs with seals included off eBay for around $130.00. You can use a deep socket to get the new seals on but make sure it fits over the solenoid and tap it down.

Yeah, you need to just take the brackets off.
If those seals have been in there awhile, you will most likely destroy them. Get a couple screwdrivers under opposing sides and try to work them out. Have new ones ready. The part number is 3L3Z-6C535-AA

Dang, $36 for two seals? They better be some damn good seals.

My question for you, is what year is your truck? There were two variants of valve covers for the 5.4L 3V Triton. The early 3V's from late '04 to roughly early '07 had a large seal that could be easily pried out and the VCT solenoid could be removed through that large opening. The later style valve covers used a smaller opening and seal that need to pushed out from the inside of the valve cover and the VCT solenoids can't be removed without removing the valve cover. If you have this later style, you're in for a lot more than you bargained for. You'll have to pull both valve covers, and that requires a hell of a lot of work on the passenger side of the engine. You'll have to remove the battery, battery tray, PCM, recover your AC refrigerant and remove the line that passes over top that valve cover to gain access.

2005.

I'm not too worried about having to pull off the valve covers. I just replaced my AC compressor and purposely left the lines empty because I'm going to replace the phasers, chains, all that good stuff when I get back from deployment. I was just hoping that I could pop off and replace the seals without having to pull the valve cover in the event I had to do it in the future.

Noooo, 2005 here and the VCT seals were a PIA. I took a flat head screw driver, pried up the ear by the slot, got a pair of vice grips and pulled on that bitch for all I was worth. Shot some SeaFoam around the seal and just kt going around the seal. Scored the edge of the opening with the flat head...after a while, they just popped out (and I narrowly missed planting the vice grips into me teeth).

After you replaced the solenoids, did the dieseling go away or did you have to replace the whole thing (chains, phasers, everything)?

I have an 04 and I just took it nice and slow with a wide flathead and I was able to move them out fairly easily. They were OEM seals, never been replaced before. They went back on wtih the new VCTs and have not leaked in 10k miles. I will say after I changed the VCTs I never really noticed a difference other than a very slight amount of the ticking went away. But the damn thing still sounds like a cummins. Especially toward the end of an oil cycle.

I swapped my VCT. Came out clean with 150,000 miles, installed the new ones but the ticking noise did not go away!