Camshaft Timing Retarded on Both Banks?

2009 FORD F-250
240,000 MILES • 5.4L • AUTOMATIC
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RICKO2373
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Good morning, any chance you could give me a bit of advise on this? I did the timing two weeks ago with a cloyes kit because it skipped timing. Drove it for a few days and now both banks are retarded. I move to Florida next week Wednesday so time is not my friend right now. I went over to Ford dealership and bought new oem parts again but I'm afraid I'm still off timing because passenger side of engine is nice and tight but driver side is loose at the point where the tensioner is not. It still didn’t tighten up the way the passenger side is when I put the tensioner on.
How do I make this work? Can i turn the cams without chain to get them lined back up ? Indidnfollow ypur instruction and used the crank tool. It does line up with the pin. There are no chains on it currently. How do I put things back into time for both banks? Are the 1st three cam lobes to be facing a certain position? I'm stumped. Any advise would me much appreciated or a call at 248.837.9189 or email at ricko2373@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for your help.

Mark
Jun 26, 2026 at 12:37 PM
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RICKO2373
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Here's a video I attacged!
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Jun 26, 2026 at 2:53 PM
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STRAILER
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Hello, I see the problem, you don't have the chain tensioner on the left side chain, it is missing. Check the image below. This is the video you want to watch BTW

https://youtu.be/dler2t2e4Zw?si=oN4k4cplSJbTFDwg


This should fix the problem. Check out the images (below). Please let me know what happens.
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Jun 26, 2026 at 5:32 PM
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STRAILER
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Here is an image with an arrow
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Jun 26, 2026 at 5:33 PM
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RICKO2373
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So is it okay to slightly counter claw quiz , turn the phaser to tension the chain? And another question , what position should the cam lobes be in for cylinder #1 and #5? A photo would help a bunch. I got this far and to be honest got scared I did something wrong. I left it as is for 2 days now. I'm in the process of moving and only have 4 days to be out.
Jun 26, 2026 at 5:49 PM
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STRAILER
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The phaser marks are all you need and it looks like you have they correctly. Do you have the left side chain tensioner on now?
Jun 26, 2026 at 5:52 PM
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RICKO2373
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Unfortunately no i do not have it on as yet and I didnt pull the pin due to it being a bit slacker than how the passenger side felt. The passenger side is currently pretty firm and the tensioner is not yet released.
Jun 26, 2026 at 5:56 PM
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STRAILER
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That can be normal as the tension of the camshaft will do that, are you doing this on the side of the road? If so you are my new hero!
Jun 26, 2026 at 5:58 PM
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RICKO2373
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I will put it on this evening. I get home around 5pm. I can take photos and send them to you then.
Jun 26, 2026 at 5:59 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, that would be great, I am here for you.
Jun 26, 2026 at 6:05 PM
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RICKO2373
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HaHa :) :)
I am doing this on the side of the road. More on a side street. How did you know?

You've inspired me to actually build a 5.4L triton on my own eventually and that i now a future project of mine.

The timing just kicked my butt. Let me get this straight though. Does it not matter where the cam lobes are when you do timing?

Thanks,
Mark
Jun 26, 2026 at 6:43 PM
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STRAILER
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Nope, as long as the timing chain marks are lined up on the camshaft actuators you are good. When the engine starts the oil pressure, PCM and control solenoids decide where the camshafts should be positioned. I heard a car go by, still I am impressed, teach the young how to use tools! Most do not know and they need to.
Jun 26, 2026 at 6:47 PM
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RICKO2373
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Haha! I'm so focused on figuring out this timing it made me deaf to everything else. lol.
I am heading home shortly to check this put everything on. Do you have nay advise on aftermarket kits on these engines. I installed the cloyes aftermarket kit and both banks became retarded after about 2 weeks of driving it. The parts being installed nos is the ford oem parts.
Jun 26, 2026 at 7:21 PM
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STRAILER
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Yes, on the oil control solenoid housings there are small oil passage screens so I would remove them for inspection if you can or did not do that already, (image below).
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Jun 26, 2026 at 7:36 PM
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RICKO2373
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ok, when i pull the oil control solenoid housing off what exactly am I looking for?

I did not inspect those passages. The camphaser bolts are new so i would assume I could remove them at least once this time and retorque the 30ft lbs and that 90 degree.
Jun 26, 2026 at 7:45 PM
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STRAILER
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Hmm, I would leave it and try it with the tensioner installed, that should ix the problem.
Jun 26, 2026 at 10:16 PM
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RICKO2373
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She's back up and running. Purring like a kitten.
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Jun 28, 2026 at 3:42 AM
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STRAILER
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You are a rock star! Good job my man :) Please start a new question so we can help you with the ABS light if needed. Can you please leave us a rating?

https://g.page/r/CZdEnyCkGgm6EB0/review

and

https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/2carpros.com

Thank you!! Thanks for the video, it helps. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
Jun 28, 2026 at 4:58 PM
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