This is an excellent resource!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I just purchased a 2007 5.4L with 80k miles. Auto shop is currently doing a full tuneup and transmission service. A bit afraid to find out what the cost for plugs will be.

From your link I also learned i really goofed by prioritizing a 2007 over a 2006 in my used truck search. The timing solenoids are much easier to replace on the 2006 model , and it seems like any work on the phasers or timing chain is going to be a real acid-test for this novice wrencher.

Worst case scenario I need everything replaced that he recommends for the tick problem. Is it best I drive it to a good Ford dealership and hope they really understand the fix as the writer does or would I have to "coach" them through the fix?

 

I figured it out. The section that has a cover over it is a hose and it easily flexed out of the way. I had a little trouble getting the valve cover past the mounting stud for the AC line. It looks removable so I might try to take it off to make the install a little easier.

 

I have everything apart and just replaced the lash adjusters and followers. Almost everyone of the lash adjusters was frozen.

The Felpro timing gasket set came with gaskets for the VCT Solenoid housings. Everything in the engine looks clean and there is no sludge to speak of. The screens on the VCT solenoids were also clean. Should I bother taking these off? Has anyone opened these and found anything in there worth cleaning out?

 

I did not take the screens out, but I did spray them down pretty good with throttle body cleaner before I installed them, spray them down, then dip them in some clean oil before you install them.

 

Sorry, the way I asked was a little confusing. I was asking about the housings the VCT solenoids insert into. Each one has two bolts to take them off. The timing gasket set came with the gaskets for these. Should I bother taking these apart to clean them?

I have an 04 so I bought the newer version solenoids to replace the old ones, so I don't need to worry about cleaning the old ones.

 

You might as well. It won't cost you anything but a little bit of time.

 

As long as you have the gaskets, yes I would definitely replace them and make sure all the oil passages in the VCT valve body are clean as well.

 

I just took them off and sprayed them down. I didn't realize they had screens in them. I thought you were talking about the solenoids, sorry. They looked clean so I didn't bother taking out the screens either.

 

I'm very interested in putting the M360 in my '06 model, but since everything I've read says it isn't for our engine, I am hesitant to order it. Is there some reference that led you to believe it will work well on our engines? I'm assuming you don't have yours back together yet, so don't know if it even fits properly yet...

 

Just got off the phone with George at Melling and thought I'd share what he told me. He confirmed that the M360 will work on our engines just fine. Additionally, he recommended using the cast iron cam chain tensioners from the 5.4L 2 valve. Make sure you order the Ford tensioners if you do this, apparantly some manufacturers are drilling holes in theirs that are too large.