This procedure covers removal, inspection, and replacement of the main bearings on the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine, requiring complete engine removal from the vehicle.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Main bearing set (standard or appropriate oversize) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Main bearing thrust washers × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — FL-910S filter
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Windage tray gasket/seals × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear main seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front crankshaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Coolant × 1 — Motorcraft Orange
• RTV silicone sealant (Motorcraft TA-31) × 1 — TA-31

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 6 qt
• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 13 qt

Preparation

1. Position vehicle on level surface with adequate overhead clearance for engine removal
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and remove battery
3. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
4. Drain engine coolant from radiator and block drain plugs
5. Remove engine cover and air intake system
6. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and cranking engine
7. Remove hood for clearance (mark hinge positions)
8. Document all electrical connectors and vacuum lines with photos before disconnection

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove engine accessories and front components
   Remove both turbochargers with oil feed and return lines. Remove intercooler and charge air piping. Disconnect and remove alternator, A/C compressor (do not discharge system, secure aside), power steering pump if equipped with remote reservoir, and all belt-driven accessories. Remove serpentine belt and tensioner. Remove radiator, cooling fans, and all coolant hoses connected to engine.
2. 2

   Disconnect engine electrical and fuel systems
   Disconnect all engine harness connectors including injectors, coil packs, cam sensors, crank sensor, oil pressure sensor, and engine control module connectors. Label each connection. Disconnect fuel supply line at fuel rail using proper quick-disconnect tools. Cap all fuel openings. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs.
3. 3

   Separate transmission from engine
   Support transmission with transmission jack. Remove transmission bellhousing-to-engine bolts. Mark flexplate-to-torque converter bolt positions and remove bolts through starter opening. Carefully separate transmission from engine, ensuring torque converter remains with transmission. Lower transmission and move clear of work area.
4. 4

   Remove exhaust manifolds and final components
   Remove both exhaust manifolds from cylinder heads. Disconnect ground straps from engine block. Remove engine mount through-bolts on both driver and passenger sides. Attach engine hoist with proper lifting brackets or sling positioned at factory lift points.
5. 5

   Extract engine from vehicle
   Perform final check that all connections are disconnected. Slowly lift engine while monitoring clearances for any remaining attached components. Angle engine as needed to clear subframe and body. Once clear of vehicle, carefully lower onto engine stand and secure at bellhousing mounting points with appropriate bolts.
6. 6

   Remove oil pan and windage tray
   With engine on stand, rotate to access oil pan. Remove all oil pan bolts in reverse torque sequence (typically from center outward). Carefully separate oil pan from block using plastic scraper if needed. Remove windage tray fasteners and remove tray. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly with plastic scraper and solvent.
7. 7

   Remove connecting rod caps and pistons
   Rotate crankshaft to position each piston at bottom dead center individually. Mark connecting rod caps and rods with cylinder number and orientation before removal. Remove connecting rod cap bolts and caps. Push pistons up into cylinders with plastic hammer handle, being careful not to damage cylinder walls. Keep rod caps with their respective rods.
8. 8

   Remove main bearing caps
   Mark each main bearing cap with its position number and directional arrow before removal. The EcoBoost has both vertical and horizontal (side) bolts on main caps. Remove main bearing side bolts first, then vertical main bearing cap bolts. Note that center main bearing cap contains thrust washers. Use prying points to carefully lift caps straight up, keeping caps organized in order.
   Torque spec

   Main Bearing Cap Bolts (Vertical)90 Nm (66 lb-ft)

   Main Bearing Side Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Remove crankshaft and inspect journals
   Carefully lift crankshaft straight up from block. Inspect all crankshaft main journals for scoring, discoloration, or damage. Measure each journal diameter with micrometer in multiple positions and compare to Ford specifications (typically 2.0859-2.0867 inches for standard). Check for out-of-round and taper. Journals exceeding 0.001 inch taper or out-of-round require machining.
10. 10

    Inspect block and main bearing bores
    Remove old bearing shells from block and caps. Clean all bearing saddles with solvent and lint-free cloth. Inspect block bearing bores for scoring or damage. Use dial bore gauge to measure each main bearing bore for proper size, taper, and out-of-round condition. Measure with caps torqued to specification. Use thread chaser to clean all cap bolt threads in block.
    Torque spec

    Main Bearing Cap Bolts (Vertical)90 Nm (66 lb-ft)

    Main Bearing Side Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install new main bearings in block
    Select correct bearing size based on measurements (standard, 0.010, or 0.020 oversize if crankshaft was machined). Ensure bearings match crankshaft journal size. Install upper bearing shells into block saddles, ensuring bearing tabs engage notches in block. Do not force bearings. Coat bearing surfaces with clean engine assembly lube or 0W-20 oil. The center main bearing has grooved thrust washers that must be properly oriented.
12. 12

    Install crankshaft and check clearances
    Place strips of Plastigauge on each crankshaft journal parallel to crankshaft centerline. Carefully lower crankshaft into block, seating it fully in bearings. Install lower bearing shells into caps without lubricant yet. Install main bearing caps in correct positions and orientation. Install and torque cap bolts to specification per Ford sequence (typically center main first, then alternating outward). Do not rotate crankshaft.
    Torque spec

    Main Bearing Cap Bolts (Vertical)90 Nm (66 lb-ft)

    Main Bearing Side Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Measure bearing clearances
    Remove main bearing caps and check Plastigauge width against scale. Proper clearance for EcoBoost main bearings is typically 0.0009-0.0019 inches. If clearance is too tight, verify bearing installation and crankshaft measurements. If clearance is excessive, use next undersize bearing or machine crankshaft for oversize bearings. Record all clearances.
14. 14

    Final main bearing installation
    Remove Plastigauge completely from journals and bearings. Apply fresh assembly lube to all bearing surfaces. Install crankshaft and bearing caps in proper sequence. Apply small amount of engine oil to cap bolt threads and underside of bolt heads. Install all main bearing cap bolts finger-tight. Torque vertical main bearing cap bolts to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) in proper sequence, starting with center main. Then torque side bolts to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft). If bolts are TTY type, apply additional angle per Ford specification. Verify crankshaft rotates smoothly by hand.
    Torque spec

    Main Bearing Cap Bolts (Vertical)90 Nm (66 lb-ft)

    Main Bearing Side Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install new crankshaft seals and reassemble lower end
    Install new rear main seal using seal driver, ensuring it seats flush and square. Install new front crankshaft seal. Reinstall connecting rod and piston assemblies in their original cylinders with proper orientation, verifying rod bearing clearances with Plastigauge if bearings were disturbed. Apply RTV sealant to windage tray mating surfaces where specified. Install windage tray and new oil pan gasket. Apply RTV bead at front and rear main seal areas per Ford specification. Install oil pan and torque bolts to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft) in proper sequence.
    Torque spec

    Gasket Bolts23 Nm (17 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Reinstall engine into vehicle
    Remove engine from stand and attach to hoist. Carefully lower engine into engine bay, aligning with transmission and engine mounts. Install engine mount bolts to 55 Nm (40 lb-ft) or 31 Nm (23 lb-ft) depending on mount type. Align transmission to engine and install bellhousing bolts. Install flexplate-to-torque converter bolts. Reconnect all components in reverse order of removal.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts55 Nm (40 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Reconnect all systems and fill fluids
    Reconnect all electrical connectors, fuel lines, coolant hoses, and vacuum lines per documentation from disassembly. Install turbochargers, intercooler, and all accessories. Install serpentine belt. Fill engine with 6 quarts Motorcraft 0W-20 full synthetic oil and new filter. Fill cooling system with 13 quarts Motorcraft Orange coolant. Bleed cooling system per Ford procedure.

Reassembly

1. Double-check all electrical connections are secure and routed properly away from heat sources
2. Verify all coolant hoses are clamped securely with no leaks
3. Ensure all ground straps are reconnected to proper locations
4. Confirm serpentine belt is properly routed and tensioned
5. Verify transmission is filled to proper level
6. Reinstall hood aligning with marked positions
7. Reconnect battery and install fuel pump fuse

Verification

• Prime oil system by cranking engine with fuel pump fuse removed until oil pressure gauge shows pressure
• Perform initial start and verify oil pressure rises immediately to at least 15 psi at idle within 5 seconds
• Check for any oil leaks around oil pan, main seal areas, and all gaskets
• Monitor for coolant leaks and verify proper operating temperature
• Listen for any abnormal engine noises including knocking or excessive rattling
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify cooling fans cycle properly
• Check for any fuel leaks at all connection points
• Road test vehicle and monitor oil pressure at various RPM ranges
• Recheck oil level after test drive and top off if necessary
• Scan for any diagnostic trouble codes and address as needed

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