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Cam phaser lock out kits.....?

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Old Dec 7, 2020 | 01:12 PM
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Cam phaser lock out kits.....?

2009 F150 Platinum 5.4 3valve with 170K miles.

Daughter says it has recently developed a tapping sound on the drivers side. I don't have the truck here to inspect (yet) but it was NOT a loose spark plug so perhaps cam phasers. Has anyone used a Cam Phaser Lock Out kit AND reprogrammed the ECU? Any kits they might recommend if it comes to this. I did a quick search and didn't turn up much.

Thank You in advance.

Flint.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2020 | 01:16 PM
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Phaser lockouts should be used if you plan on quickly selling the truck. The truck will be a absolute dog and will also have increased fuel consumption.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2020 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by ford390gashog
Phaser lockouts should be used if you plan on quickly selling the truck. The truck will be a absolute dog and will also have increased fuel consumption.
Thank You for your reply. It sounds quite in contrast to other things I have read about (to date). Can you expand on why you say the truck will run poorly afterward? Or point to other sources supporting your claim?

Admittedly, this procedure is new to me.....so I am open to any information or consensus on it.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2020 | 04:24 PM
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My son had a 2006 Exp with the problem... They replaced the adjusters and chains, but eliminated the VCT "stuff" and put in the fixed blocks ..... dont know why after doing the new chains..... It ran fine after repairs. Mileage was never good as they just use it mostly around town and short trips.... had to get it "reporgrammed" to get the idiot light to go out after VCT elimination.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2020 | 04:26 PM
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Ford390..... i dont know, but if you eliminate the VCT and fix the cam location.. why would that be drastically different than the older 2 valve motor without VCT ???
 
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Old Dec 7, 2020 | 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by steve(ill)
Ford390..... i dont know, but if you eliminate the VCT and fix the cam location.. why would that be drastically different than the older 2 valve motor without VCT ???
Because of the cam grind and the 2v engine used a different advance built in to the grind along with lobe separation difference. When you lock out the 3v engines you are locking the cam straight up and the engine can't advance or retard. The end result is low take off power and a very noticeable loss of power at high rpms.
 
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Old Dec 7, 2020 | 08:07 PM
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Needs more diagnostics done. Could be a worn cam follower as well.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2020 | 06:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Lime1GT
Needs more diagnostics done. Could be a worn cam follower as well.
True. Will need to pull the valve cover and inspect all of them. Just gathering info and contemplating my options.

 
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Old Dec 8, 2020 | 05:30 PM
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When checking the Oil Pressure with a mechanical gauge....can anyone tell me WHERE I need to attach it? 2009 5.4 Engine. Just trying to get everything ready for when my Daughter is home in January and I can look at the truck.

Thank You in advance,


Flint.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2020 | 05:37 PM
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^^^^^^

Found it.....


 
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Old Dec 8, 2020 | 07:13 PM
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If you want to know how it will run with the lock out kit, just unplug the VCT solenoids and take it for a drive. No harm will be done as the phasers will simply default to their full retard setting.

I did it on my 2010 as a diagnostic tool and found it to be very miserable to drive. Very noticeable loss of power. Didn’t keep it that way long enough to check mileage as it was miserable to drive.

Perhaps the lockouts put the timing more to the middle, but there has to be a loss either on the bottom end, or top end, or both as a compromise.

retarded cam timing bolsters high rpm performance. Advanced cam timing bolsters low end performance. So if you lock it out one way the other has to suffer. Lock it out in the middle and you compromise both. It’s simple engine theory 101. The only way to get both is with variable cam timing.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2020 | 08:02 PM
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If you wanted full retarded, then there would be no need to add the spacers (locks).... just unplug the VCT.... I dont know where it actually sets the timing.. i think a lot of people don't run at high rpm.. Never get over 2500- 3000 rpm on daily travels... maybe thats what the "locks" are set for. I know on my sons old 2006 with the locks, i never noticed anything really abnormal, but i was not a driver.
 
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Old Dec 9, 2020 | 12:30 AM
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I could never understand why anyone would want to run those lockouts. Its one of the stupidest things you can do to an engine short of running with no oil. Their tagline should be "do you want less power and poor fuel economy?..."

Just change the phasers, chains and tensioners to the latest Ford OEM parts. They're upgraded to fix all the issues so you'll get another 200k out of them easy, probably much more.

While you're in there, put a new melling high volume oil pump. Look up fordtechmakulo on YouTube. Greatest YouTube Ford tech in internet history.
 
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Old Dec 9, 2020 | 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by meborder
If you want to know how it will run with the lock out kit, just unplug the VCT solenoids and take it for a drive. No harm will be done as the phasers will simply default to their full retard setting.

I did it on my 2010 as a diagnostic tool and found it to be very miserable to drive. Very noticeable loss of power. Didn’t keep it that way long enough to check mileage as it was miserable to drive.

Perhaps the lockouts put the timing more to the middle, but there has to be a loss either on the bottom end, or top end, or both as a compromise.

retarded cam timing bolsters high rpm performance. Advanced cam timing bolsters low end performance. So if you lock it out one way the other has to suffer. Lock it out in the middle and you compromise both. It’s simple engine theory 101. The only way to get both is with variable cam timing.
My understanding is that cam blocks default to fully advanced and that the 'tune' portion does two things: Prevents certain CEL's from appearing and addresses to some degree retarded cam timing. Guy's I am NOT advocating for cam blocks.....just inquiring and trying to learn about them. There is a lot conflicting information out there. People in both camps (for and against). It is my purpose to make an informed decision when it comes time to address the issue depending upon what I find.
 
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Old Dec 9, 2020 | 07:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Newnavowner
I could never understand why anyone would want to run those lockouts. Its one of the stupidest things you can do to an engine short of running with no oil. Their tagline should be "do you want less power and poor fuel economy?..."

Just change the phasers, chains and tensioners to the latest Ford OEM parts. They're upgraded to fix all the issues so you'll get another 200k out of them easy, probably much more.

While you're in there, put a new melling high volume oil pump. Look up fordtechmakulo on YouTube. Greatest YouTube Ford tech in internet history.
From what I've researched thus far Oil Pressure/Volume seems to be the source of the problem (along with tensioner seals), so it matters little if the Cam Phasers and VCT solenoids have been upgraded or not. They can't work as intended or survive without an adequate oil supply. Looks like a Melling 360 pump is a must have item IF the engine is still viable.
 
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