1997 F150 XL 2wd 4.2 auto trans.
Ok first off it was missing and sputtering and the CEL was on so I had it tested.. Camshaft position sensor, I figured simple enough and changed it but didnt know about the camshaft synchronizer. The top of the synchronizer that spins around the magnet was bent and chewed up so it destroyed my camshaft sensor, I then purchased the sensor, synchronizer and tool in a kit for 40 bucks and replaced it. I set the truck at #1 TDC on the compression stroke and dropped the synchro in. I got around 45 degrees which its supposed to be 54 basically the arrow was facing the drivers side headlight (towards that way) my camshaft CEL code went off but these codes are still here (yes these codes scanned up too when i found the Cam sensor code) P1537, P1538 which are intake runners stuck open i do believe, P1151, P0174, P1000 (which i had the battery disconnected while working on it) the truck fired up but now it backfires and shifts too soon at times, it does not want to downshift well either the linkage is a bit off. The truck has a brand new transmission, flywheel, starter, battery and a few other things I had put in. Also 64 miles on a 1/3 tank of gas..... it cost 40 from E and got me a 1/2 tank so now im left with an 1/8 tank lol. anyone who can help me in the right direction i'll be so happy. Any information I left out I apologize now but I tried to cover what I can think of.

 

also was wondering if the camshaft synchronizer is slightly out of time will it sputter and backfire? it acts like oldschool distributor is out of time. I wish i could turn it like a distributor

 

did you ever get that figured out?