Camshaft R&R

Complete removal and replacement of camshafts on the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, including timing chain, phasers, and valve train components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Intake camshafts (2) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust camshafts (2) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain kit (chains, guides, tensioners) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft phasers (4) × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Valve cover gaskets (2) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• VVT solenoid O-rings (4) × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-910S or equivalent
• RTV silicone gasket maker (gray) × 1 — Motorcraft TA-31 or equivalent

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 7.5 qt
• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for airbag system to discharge
2. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
3. Drain coolant from radiator and engine block drain plugs
4. Remove engine cover and air intake system
5. Remove radiator, cooling fan assembly, and upper radiator hose
6. Install engine support fixture or attach hoist to engine lifting points
7. Remove serpentine belt and accessories (alternator, A/C compressor - leave lines attached)
8. Remove power steering pump and set aside with lines attached
9. Label and disconnect all electrical connectors from valve covers and front of engine
10. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands
11. Remove front engine mount through-bolt
12. Lower vehicle and raise engine approximately 2 inches using support fixture

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove valve covers
   Disconnect ignition coils and remove. Remove PCV hoses and breather tubes from valve covers. Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside). Carefully lift valve covers and set aside. Inspect rocker arms and lash adjusters for wear.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove crankshaft pulley and harmonic balancer
   Raise vehicle. Use breaker bar or impact wrench to remove crankshaft pulley bolt (counterclockwise). This bolt is often torque-to-yield. Use harmonic balancer puller to remove balancer from crankshaft snout. Do not pry against timing cover.
   ⚠Never use a jaw-type puller on the outer ring of the harmonic balancer. Use only a proper balancer puller on the hub.
   Torque spec

   Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove timing cover
   Remove crankshaft position sensor. Disconnect VVT solenoid electrical connectors. Remove timing cover bolts, noting locations of different length bolts (10mm and 8mm). Carefully separate timing cover from engine block, tapping gently with plastic mallet if necessary. Remove and discard timing cover gasket and crankshaft seal.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

   Crankshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Set engine to TDC and verify timing marks
   Rotate crankshaft clockwise using socket on crankshaft snout until cylinder #1 is at top dead center (TDC) on compression stroke. Verify all timing marks align: crankshaft keyway at 12 o'clock, camshaft timing marks on cam phasers aligned with cylinder head marks. Take photos for reference before disassembly.
   ⚠️All four camshaft phaser timing marks must align perfectly with cylinder head reference marks. Misalignment indicates incorrect timing.
5. 5

   Remove timing chains and components
   Remove timing chain tensioner bolts and tensioners (compress tensioners and lock with pin before removal). Remove timing chain guide bolts and guides. Remove timing chain idler sprocket bolt and sprocket. Carefully remove both primary and secondary timing chains. Remove cam phaser bolts while holding camshafts stationary using wrench on hex portion of camshaft. Remove cam phasers and mark which position each came from.
   ⚠Cam phasers are bank and position specific. Mark each phaser clearly (LH intake, LH exhaust, RH intake, RH exhaust) before removal.
   Torque spec

   Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

   Timing Chain Idler Sprocket25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove VVT solenoids
   Remove VVT solenoid bolts from all four positions (two per cylinder head). Carefully extract solenoids and remove O-rings. Inspect solenoid screens for debris.
   Torque spec

   VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove camshaft bearing caps
   Remove camshaft position sensors from both cylinder heads. Loosen camshaft bearing cap bolts in reverse order (outside caps first, working toward center) in multiple passes to avoid bending camshafts. Each cap is numbered and directional - note the orientation markings. Remove bearing caps and keep in order with their respective bolts.
   ⚠Bearing caps MUST be reinstalled in their exact original positions with correct orientation. Mix-ups will cause catastrophic engine failure.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts9 Nm (7 lb-ft)

   Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove camshafts
   Carefully lift camshafts straight up out of cylinder heads. Keep intake and exhaust camshafts separate and labeled by position. Inspect cam lobes and bearing journals for scoring or wear. Inspect cylinder head cam bearing surfaces for damage. Clean all bearing surfaces thoroughly with lint-free cloth and brake cleaner.
   ℹ️This is an ideal time to inspect valve lash adjusters and rocker arms. Replace any components showing wear or damage.
9. 9

   Install new camshafts
   Lubricate all camshaft bearing journals and lobes liberally with clean engine oil or assembly lube. Carefully lower new camshafts into position, ensuring intake and exhaust camshafts are in correct positions. Verify camshaft timing marks are positioned to align with cylinder head reference marks when at TDC.
   ⚠Intake and exhaust camshafts are NOT interchangeable. Verify correct positioning using timing mark locations before proceeding.
10. 10

    Install camshaft bearing caps
    Lubricate bearing cap surfaces with engine oil. Install bearing caps in their exact original positions with directional arrows pointing toward front of engine. Install bearing cap bolts finger-tight. Tighten camshaft bearing cap bolts in sequence from center outward in three progressive passes to final torque specification. Do not skip the multi-pass procedure.
    ⚠Tighten bearing caps gradually in three passes: first pass to 5 Nm, second pass to 10 Nm, final pass to 14 Nm. Skipping passes can bend camshafts.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts9 Nm (7 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install cam phasers and timing components
    Install new cam phasers onto camshafts, aligning timing marks. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to cam phaser bolts. Hold camshafts stationary using wrench on hex and torque cam phaser bolts to specification. Install timing chain idler sprocket. Route timing chains over all sprockets, ensuring proper engagement. Install timing chain guides and tensioners (keep tensioners compressed and pinned during installation).
    Torque spec

    Cam Phaser Bolt65 Nm (48 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Idler Sprocket25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Guide Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Timing Chain Tensioner Bolt25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Verify timing alignment
    With timing chains installed and tensioners still pinned, verify all timing marks align perfectly at TDC: crankshaft keyway at 12 o'clock, all four cam phaser timing marks aligned with cylinder head reference marks. Rotate engine two complete revolutions by hand (clockwise only) and recheck timing mark alignment. Only after verification, release timing chain tensioner pins.
    ⚠️Do not start engine if timing marks do not align perfectly after two complete crankshaft rotations. Incorrect timing will destroy the engine.
13. 13

    Install timing cover and crankshaft pulley
    Install new crankshaft front seal into timing cover using seal driver. Clean all gasket surfaces on timing cover and engine block. Apply thin bead of RTV silicone to timing cover corners where block meets cylinder head. Install new timing cover gasket and position timing cover. Install timing cover bolts (noting different lengths) and torque 8mm bolts first, then 10mm bolts in sequence. Install crankshaft position sensor. Lubricate harmonic balancer seal surface and install balancer. Torque harmonic balancer bolt to specification.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

    Crankshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Harmonic Balancer Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install VVT solenoids and valve covers
    Install new O-rings on VVT solenoids with light oil coating. Install VVT solenoids and torque bolts. Install camshaft position sensors and torque bolts. Clean valve cover mating surfaces on cylinder heads. Install new valve cover gaskets. Apply small dab of RTV at front corners where timing cover meets cylinder heads. Install valve covers and torque bolts in sequence from center outward.
    Torque spec

    VVT Solenoid Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final assembly and fluid refill
    Lower engine back to original position and reinstall front engine mount through-bolt. Reinstall all accessories (power steering pump, alternator, A/C compressor) with mounting bolts to specification. Install serpentine belt. Reinstall radiator, cooling fan, and hoses. Install new oil filter and drain plug with new crush washer. Fill engine with correct quantity of fresh engine oil. Refill cooling system with proper coolant mixture. Reconnect all electrical connectors. Reinstall air intake system and engine cover.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)

    Oil Drain Plug35 Nm (26 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check all electrical connectors are properly seated and secured
2. Verify all bolts are torqued to specification and no tools remain in engine bay
3. Ensure coolant system is properly bled of air
4. Check engine oil level on dipstick and adjust if necessary

Verification

• Before starting engine, remove spark plugs and disable fuel system. Rotate engine by hand for two complete revolutions to verify no interference
• Reinstall spark plugs and enable fuel system
• Start engine and monitor for unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights
• Verify oil pressure builds immediately upon startup (within 2-3 seconds)
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and check for oil or coolant leaks at timing cover and valve covers
• Check for diagnostic trouble codes related to camshaft position sensors or VVT system
• Test drive vehicle and verify smooth operation at all RPM ranges
• Recheck all fluid levels after test drive and top off as necessary

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