Hello! Great write up! The only questions I have are, is it necessary to lock the cam? Can I use vise grips instead of the OCT tool? (Expensive! ) do I have to remove any followers on the engine to begine? Lastly, shouldn't the crank keyway be at 11 of clock with the mark at 6 of clock were the special tool puts it? And when you say TDC, do you mean the #1 cylinder? That's all. Thank you.

 

No special tool required. I used vise grips without problem behind the phaser. No need to remove any of the followers. I also put the engine in TDC before pulling the front over and that put the crank gear alignment mark at 6 o'clock.

 

I have no idea why this hasn't been made a sticky yet. Fixed...

 

Hey guys. A lot of great info in this thread. But I have scrolled thru the thread, read many but not all of the pages. I was going to ask about the high performance oil pump, but that was answered a few pages back. It seems that anyone who owns one of these trucks should go that route if you are pulling timing cover off.
I have seen hints of cam phaser lockouts. Didn't find much in results. My thinking is that the Livernois phaser lock/tuner kit would be a permanent fix to this noisey phaser issue. Never to hear it ever again. Has anyone here used this kit? And how does it work? I think I am about to get into this phaser issue, and I am trying to make a good choice here. My truck is used, I haven't had it long, and it gets that phaser clatter when hot at low RPM, and it misses at lower RPMs under load. I plan to install an oil pressure gauge that actually tells me the truth, but I assume its a little low at low RPM hot. I may be proven wrong. I have high miles and PO said it never had any timing issues, ever. Not sure I buy that after reading these posts! I am at 200,000 miles. Seems like some of you folks can't get much past 80,000. So I have a VCT solenoid coming, after an oil chnage and replacing that, I will see how it goes. If it needs a phaser I am considering just doing chains and all, high perf. oil pump too. Really thinking about that Livernois lockout. I'd love to hear the pros and cons, real world experience. Does it hurt MPG, or power? Is it noticeable? Do you love it, or hate it? Thanks all!

 

I'm gonna do it.

 

It seems like the best idea to me, unless someone has a real reason why not to? Some of these trucks that get new phasers and all the timing kits still make noise if nothing else. The Livernois kit should make it quiet. Its a lot of money for a couple pieces and a tuner, but I like that it ends all issues with phasers.

 

I'm in the same boat as you. Used truck 175,000 miles. As you described. I spoke with the tech at livernois. He said it will eliminate ALL problems ford started with VCT. The flash marries to the truck and can be redone if changes are needed. It basically turns the phaser into a solid sprocket then on. The flash changes 22 parameters to the ECM. I am on the fence on using OEM timing componentso or aftermarket to save the cost of the lock out kit. I will keep the original phasers, go with a Ford racing high volume oil pump, new water pump. The OEM stuff is made in Mexico. The aftermarket equipment is made in Japan. How bad could that be? The guy at livernois told me that rarely are the phasers bad unless inspection verifies so. Save the money on new phasers and lock them. I will keep using Mobile 1 full synthetic 5W/20 and see how many miles I can get. The truck is perfect, no rust and Solid. I've heard that with the timing issues resolved and good maintenance, keeping up with sensors and all involved. Milage is irrelevant except for resale. Crown Victoriaa and many 5.4's have gone lots more miles than some. I'm keeping the truck, so I'm gonna do it. Also, a company called Freedom racing is another choice in lock out kits. Same price.....

 

Good info MadGreenback! This is the issue here for me. I only just recently bought the truck. I got a good deal, and my truck is nearly perfect condition. Getting new tires today. And this timing issue. So I have a new VCT solenoid coming. I'm going to give it one shot to keep OEM. Any issues after that and it is getting chains and guides kit, high perf. oil; pump, and Livernois kit. I don't want to do this but once! Anything that leaves the threat of repeat work is not acceptable to me. I'd rather just know it is good when I do it. The livernois kit is a bit pricey but changing phasers more than once isn't too cheap either! lol

 

Same deal here. Paid $3000 for a perfect condition 2005. Put new tires brakes, plugs and coils, a salvage yard transfer case and this timing issue. I'm laid off from the railroad right now, so money is tight. I'm gonna shoot for aftermarket timing $250 set w/o, but will buy a high performance ford oil pump extra and see how it does. Sounds noisy when hot. Otherwise runs great. Good luck with yours. I don't think the solenoid alone will make any difference, unless your getting a code for that. The problem usually lies in the leaking tensioner gaskets and or oil pump not providing enough pressure up top. As far as what I've been learning.

 

Got my tires done today, and an oil change designed to more be a flush than anything. I don't know if the solenoid will amount to anything? The code I keep getting is P0022. One possible cause is a stuck or sticking VCT solenoid, so I figured its worth a shot. It runs good most the time, but has little fits here and there. I suspect the phaser on the same side is on its way out. Has some knocking noise on that side right up front. Too bad you cant get to the tensioners without pulling the timing cover, its a lot of work for two little headaches! I hope I don't have to go all in on this timing deal but I will do it if need be. Anybody know if you can do the oil pump without pulling the oil pan? Or, if you can get the oil pan off the engine without picking up the engine? My truck is 2wd, not 4x4, but I don't know if theres room.