im working on an 06 f150 5.4. is there a way to visually check the timing at the cams and crank on these motors without ripping it down?

 

If your wanting to "visually" inspect the cams and crank and see if the timing is correct, I believe your looking at a minimun of removing the valve covers, and timing cover. The timing chains have three brass links or marks on each chain. Two of the different links are together and the third is separate. On the cam gear there is an L and an l stamped on opposing sides of the phaser. When correctly timed at TDC the L on the Left cam gear and the l on the right gear will line up between the two different brass colored links, and the third brass link line up with a mark or dimple on the crank. Just a side a note because of the difference in sproket size of the cam and crank gear and the length of the chains you may have to turn the engine over manually several times. If its in time though it will eventually line up correctly. Thats the only way that I know to "visually inspect the timing on the cam and crank. Another way to check is to line the crank up on TDC. It will be maked on your timing cover and pull you #1 plug. Stick a wooden dowl in the plug hole and see if the piston is up, if the piston is up then the engine should be in time.