how do you set the timing in a 97 f150 5.4 vin l windsor"triton"

 

You don't. There is no adjustment for timing when the engine and its sensors are properly assembled.

 

What seems to be the issue that you think the timing needs " adjustment"?

 

well they were bad to begin with they were severely stretched out and slaping the timing cover so i got new timing chains got them installed and its making this weird tick it sounds like a diesel and the truck just started burning oil and this ticking after they were put on

 

I see you have two threads going here, this and the 351w swap.

Who did the work on this engine?

Anyone--friend, shop, neighbor etc--who does work on an engine is responsible for completing the job. If they don't know the engine, they shouldn't do the work. Whoever did this work needs to stand behind it and fix it, or pay to have it done.

 

my friend who is a certified mechanic and i did it in my garage we think the website we got how to set the timing was wrong

 

What part dont your think is right? colored link postion? position of crank?

 

Where is your certified mechanic buddy now?

Don't buy another engine that doesn't run right btw.

 

i just had another buddy of mines dad give me a 5.4 today witch is very clean the motor ran when pulled i know for a fact the reason it was pulled is because it had a miss. the engine itself is is all ther minus intake it was in his shop no corrosion or anything its very very clean for being used and my mechanic buddy is at work right now

 

In my opinion I would be really wondering why it got pulled for a miss, compression miss problem perhaps, burnt valves, warped heads, etc.
Its a good idea, but make sure the heads dont need the same repairs yours does if your looking just to swap heads, if they are even the same heads

 

Couldn't have been running "well" if it was missing.

 

the heads were pulled today and look freshley shaved and the valves are my main concern im getting a valve spring puller tomorrow to see if there fine or not the vavles are white looks like it was running lean the heads them selves were just put on it looks like the pistons on it are very clean with very little carbon build up on them the engine itself i was skeptical about at first but once i started tearing it down i can't find really anything wrong with it i mean even if it was screwed its not a big deal because it was just given to me ill post pics up asap also followed everyones advice picked up a hanes manual

 

its making this weird tick it sounds like a diesel

 

my old engine did the new one just had a miss

 

So what should the timing be? My OBD printout shows mine to be 16 degrees advanced @ about 900 RPM. How do I know if it's correct for my truck? I couldn't find anything on this thread or in the Haynes book. Thanks.