Honestly, I really wasn't looking at buying into one of the worlds most hated engines lol.
Was in need of a cheap, simple pickup to use around town and after much searching across brands, found this decent F-150 at what I thought was a great price (3500)
Did all my due diligence in a complete going over of the truck and it was / is solid but it didn't take long after purchasing that I started to learn and understand better what I had bought into.
Got the truck home and noticed the rattling of the engine at idle. Long story short, I am into the very common timing job and while I am getting into that, going to do the rocker arm job on it as well.
Although a PITA, I am completely capable of doing this work even though I wasn't expecting to. Parts are going to add up but I figure if I can stay at 2k or less, I am in good shape still on the truck price.
I have done a bunch of research on my parts list and I am wondering if most folks are buying the critical parts directly from Ford? Things like cam phasers, chains, tensioners etc.
Right now, I have the solid cam phaser rattles happening as soon as the truck comes up to temp.
I am also noticing a rattle at startup but not very loud. I assume it is going to get worse the longer I leave it but at the moment, I am confident that it isn't going to come apart up there.

And what is the deal I keep hearing about concerning snapping off sparkplugs? This seems way more concerning to me than the timing job honestly.
I will want to pull the plugs during the timing job and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I do not run into an issue removing the old plugs. Truck is at 148k so I am pretty sure they are not the original plugs.
Right now the truck runs well and idles solidly. No codes being thrown and no trace of any misfires or stumbling at idle.
I might be have my self a decent truck after I get through the timing and rocker job - we shall see.
Hoping to get some solid intel from the forum and bring back additional intel as I go through the job.

 

A suggestion; blow out the plug holes and shoot some PB Blaster , penetrating oil into where the plugs seat. Give it some time to work
Carefully start to remove a plug and allow the penetrant to get into the threaded parts "of each" plug.Go slow and you should be OK.
Don't worry about the oil getting into the combustion chamber , it will burn as soon as the engine is started.
Let us know how you make out with this, thanks.

 

Appreciate the tips!
First time I have ever had to "consider" the possibility of issues with the plugs but at 25' lbs of torque, I do want to know any ideas about making sure nothing happens during the process.
It is a California truck so I won't have the corrosion issues many see but still, I have no idea who worked on the vehicle previously and if they adhered to proper torque when installing.
We shall see

 

Corrosion was not the problem, it was built up carbon that when forced , the plug would separate.
That was the reason to allow the penetrant to soften the carbon..

 

Makes a lot of sense.
Slow and easy