I have a 2004 Ford with the 5.4 Triton 3 valve and I was doing a timing job on it and I have followed the main ford mechanic on YouTube and everything was going good I got it all timed and put the cam back in and got the first 6 roller followers in on both sides and started on the back 6 for each side today and I cannot get my tool to thread on and I can not push the compression spring down far enough to even start the threads on the tool to compress the spring. I have tried on every one of the remaining 12 and they are all the same. I even bought a new compression tool thinking maybe somehow I messed the tool up since the rest went in fairly easy. Can anyone help me out and maybe I am doing something wrong or does anyone have any advice on how to help compress the spring enough to hit the treads on my tool? It’s only about 2 threads away from being close enough to thread on.
thank you everyone for any advice

 

What brand of tool do you have? I have seen lots of complaints that the cheapo ones bend or just don't work well. OTC is supposed to be one of the good ones generally they are the same as the rotunda ones the dealer uses.

An option if you can't get it to work is to remove the cam again set all the followers in place and then carefully evenly reinstall the cam and caps on top of the flowers.

 

I purchased the OTC brand, I have thought about pulling the cam off but I have read that some people say the towers are not ment to torque down under pressure and could strip out. Have you had any issues with something like that?

 

Hey Vaughn88,

If your crank is positioned exact for timing and you use the OTC crank alignment tool, and the required cylinder valves are properly positioned per neutralizing the cam, you can then remove those followers and remove the cam to inspect ALL roller followers and lash adjusters to insure they are in good working order. Then replace all the roller followers except the 3 per bank and then you can continue to retime your 5.4 3v.