Markdas

It could be a lash adjuster or rocker that had developed some wear and is tapping. Again, thats a trigger that your tensioner seals have probably gone and that means you need to start planning the whole timing gear change out......

f150Matt

I got a hold of the F150 Factory Service Repair Manual and am looking through it to compare the original writeup here with the procedures in the manual.

It seems like a lot of special tools are required to accomplish this. You guys that did this from the writeup here, do you actually have those tools? Or are some, most, all of them not really necessary to do this in the home garage?

I see:
Valve Spring Compressor, Cam Phaser Sprocket Locking Tool, Crankshaft Holding Tool, Crankcase Front Oil Seal Installer, Crankshaft Vibration Damper Installer, Powersteering Pump Pulley Remover, Teflon Seal Installer Set, Crankshaft Front Oil Seal Remover, Crankshaft Vibrations Damper Remover, Powersteering Pump Pulley Installer.

I am trying to prepare myself for this and want to make sure I have everything in order before I begin. I really appreciate experienced opinions on the necessity of these tools!

Markdas

Having a good selection of tools, lights etc is essential, but I didn't use any special tools at all. I did have a hub puller for the front crank pulley but thats all.

There are many ways to get around various tools like the wedge and valve spring compressor.....

If you really only wanted to do the cam phasers, then you can use a length of rubber hose, lubed up and pushed down between the chains under the cam phasers.......this locks the chain in place and let you remove and install the new phaser. This is useful if you are 100% sure that you don't need to go into the timign gear under the front cover.

As for the valve spring compressor.....I did buy one, but it was $100 and the wrong one, so I took it back!
To change all the rockers and lash adjusters, I locked the chains with the rubber tubing as above and carefully slackened off all the camshaft bearing caps, marking the chain and phasers carefully and lifting the camshaft just enough to remove and replace the lash adjusters and rockers one by one!

I didn't change the can shaft seals or front main seal, but If you are that far into the engine, you can usually do that with some careful drifting or pressing out of seals on the bench.

This is a totally manageable job!

Good luck

Mark

2002VertGt

I just did the phasers, chains, guides and tentioners...I also had to replace my relucter ring. Only special tools I needed was a pulley puller for the crank pulley...you can CAREFULLY use vise grips to hold the cam while you torque the phaser bolts. Just make sure you do not touj the lobes...

txresq

f150matt,
I'm not positive, but I do think a sprocket could be used instead of the livernois lockouts. However, you would still have to reprogram the computer to turn off the vct or you would throw codes and it might not run right. If you look at the Haynes manual, the pictures for replacing the timing chains, tensioners, and sprockets (pg 2B-12) show a 4.6 & a 5.4 with the valve covers and timing cover removed. The 5.4 has the cam phasers, but the 4.6 has cam sprockets instead. When you take apart a cam phaser to put the lockout in, the spring holds it in a fully advanced position and this is where you lock it. It would be very difficult to pry the vanes around enough to lock them in the fully retarded position. I also looked at cams when doing this job, but they were cost prohibitive for me. I couldn't find a pair for under $700, not to mention that it makes the job a bit harder. Truthfully, I haven't noticed any difference in power or performance with the lockouts. I think any difference in power is made up for with the custom tune that comes with the SCT tuner from Livernois. It over-rides the VCT, but also has a performance tune included. On a side note, I also used it to reprogram my shift points and speedometer for 315/70/17 tires.

Island Truck

I had the exact question you have. I bought many but not all of the tools. If you read through this thread you'll find my wrap up post explaining which tools I found useful.

ble701

I have a 2006 Ford F150 V8 5.4 Liter. I took it to the dealership and they said that my cam phasers were bad. I knew it was probably that because of the terrible ticking/rattling sound. They said it would cost 2600 dollars and that didnt sound right to me so I looked on here and found this repair guide. I just need to know if these parts on here will fit my truck and make sure this repair guide is for my model.

2002VertGt

Yes and yes...all the info you need is here!

Where you from?

Brewskey

Well I just completed the work on replacing the cam phasers, timing chains, guides, tensioners on my 2004 F150. Not that bad of a job really , I didn't use any special tools like Ford says you need nor did I need them.I also never had to disconnect my air conditioning. The only thing is the cam phasers didn't look like there was anything wrong with them but I had two broken guides, one guide with the bend in it had worn right through to black plastic and one tensioner had a blown out gasket which had no tension on the chain what so ever. There was some wear on the timing chain cover from the chains flopping around as well. Well ford as they need to get there head out of there lol !!!!!!

Now tomorrow I have to complete the work just re-installing the computer, hooking up electrical on passenger side and the fan and shroud. The moment of truth with them hopefully be good news will fill you in!!!!!

Brewskey

I just completed the Job with no special tools what so ever

Just don't torque the phasers till everything else is installed and have someone hold a wrench on the crankshaft bolt to stop it from turning the engine. We had a few washers on the bolt to take up the space that the timing chain cover would take up.