anyone who will listen, please helP!!! Last november i took my car to Ford because it threw code P1381 (Cam timing over advanced). They ended up replacing the boots on the intake manifold saying this was the problem, they also replaced the head gasket because of previous cooling issues I had last summer. $2k later I get the car back and am still having the same problem and code. The car drives fine until it heats up, as soon as the engine has been running for about 5-10 mins there is a serious power loss especially down low. I cant shake this code or this problem, please help.

Take it back to them. Before you agree to any work, take it to other shops to see what they can fix it for.

you should be able to take it back with no cost for further work. happened to me when my car was throwing the IMRC code. They 'fixed' it, and within the next few days it threw the same code. Took it back to them and they actually fixed it that time w/o charging me again.

take it back and tell them they didn't time the cams the right way

It is quit possible they didn't phase the cam's right. It's easy to do if you have the special tools. I got mine from CFM. Get them to shave the oil gallery plug if you order it. It's at AEM part that is too long.

I'm not certin why it runs ok when it's cold..If the timing is far enough out, the valves could be bent. Take it back and let them know they made a mistake. If they are a good shop, they will fix it. VCT is pretty simple, considering there are only 3 parts that can be faulty.