Complete removal and replacement of main bearings on the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, requiring engine removal from vehicle and full disassembly of lower end.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Main bearing set (standard or appropriate oversize) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Thrust bearing set × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Main cap bolts (torque-to-yield) × 10 — Use OEM specification
• Main cap side bolts × 10 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Rear main seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pump pickup tube O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone gasket maker (gray) × 1 — Motorcraft TA-31
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-500S
• Coolant × 1 — Motorcraft Orange
• Various engine gaskets and seals per removal requirements × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 7.5 qt
• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 16 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake. Disconnect negative battery terminal.
2. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter. Drain cooling system into appropriate container.
3. Remove engine cover and air intake system completely.
4. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and cranking engine until it stops.
5. Disconnect fuel lines using proper disconnect tools. Cap all open fuel lines.
6. Remove radiator, cooling fans, and all coolant hoses from engine.
7. Remove accessory drive belt and all belt-driven accessories (alternator, A/C compressor, power steering pump).
8. Disconnect all electrical connectors from engine, labeling each for reinstallation.
9. Raise vehicle on jack stands. Remove exhaust system from manifolds back.
10. Support transmission with transmission jack. Remove transmission-to-engine bolts and separate transmission.
11. Attach engine hoist with load leveler to engine lifting eyes. Take up tension gradually.
12. Remove engine mount bolts from frame mounts.
13. Carefully lift engine from vehicle, ensuring all connections are clear. Transfer to engine stand and secure.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove timing chain cover and timing components
   With engine on stand, rotate to access front cover. Remove harmonic balancer using appropriate puller. Remove all timing cover bolts and carefully pry cover away from block. Remove timing chains, guides, and tensioners. Note timing marks and component orientation for reassembly.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove cylinder heads
   Remove valve covers. Remove all cylinder head bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (consult service manual for sequence). Carefully lift cylinder heads from block. Place heads on clean surface with combustion chambers facing up to prevent valve damage. Remove head gaskets and inspect deck surfaces.
3. 3

   Remove oil pan and oil pump
   Rotate engine stand so oil pan faces up. Remove all oil pan bolts and lower pan. Remove oil pump pickup tube. Remove oil pump mounting bolts and extract oil pump assembly. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly.
   Torque spec

   Gasket Bolts25 Nm (19 lb-ft)

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Mark and remove main bearing caps
   Verify main caps are numbered 1-5 from front to rear. Use permanent marker to mark orientation arrows pointing toward front of engine on each cap. Remove main cap side bolts first from all five caps. Then remove vertical main cap bolts. Carefully lift each cap straight up and place in order on clean workbench.
   ⚠Main caps must be reinstalled in exact same position and orientation. Mixing caps will cause immediate engine failure.
   Torque spec

   Main Cap Bolts (Vertical)75 Nm (55 lb-ft) + 90°

   Main Cap Side Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove crankshaft and inspect journals
   Carefully lift crankshaft straight up out of block. Place on clean padded surface. Remove all upper bearing shells from block and lower shells from caps. Inspect all five crankshaft main journals for scoring, discoloration, or damage. Measure each journal diameter in multiple locations using outside micrometer. Record all measurements. Journal out-of-round must not exceed 0.0002 inch, taper must not exceed 0.0005 inch per journal.
   ℹ️Crankshaft for 5.0L Coyote weighs approximately 65 lbs. Use caution when lifting to prevent injury or dropping.
6. 6

   Inspect block main bearing bores
   Clean all five main bearing saddles in block thoroughly with brake cleaner. Inspect for cracks, scoring, or damage. Use dial bore gauge or inside micrometer to measure each bearing bore. Record measurements. Bearing bore must be within specification and round within 0.0005 inch. Check block deck surface for warpage.
   ⚠If block bearing bores are out-of-specification, block requires line boring by machine shop before proceeding.
7. 7

   Clean all components and mating surfaces
   Thoroughly clean crankshaft journals with brake cleaner and lint-free cloth. Clean all oil passages in crankshaft using rifle brush and brake cleaner. Clean block bearing saddles and all gasket surfaces. Clean main caps thoroughly. Ensure all surfaces are completely free of old gasket material, RTV, oil, and debris.
   Torque spec

   Gasket Surface Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Install upper bearing shells
   Remove new bearings from package. Verify bearings are correct size (standard or oversize as required). Install upper bearing shells into block saddles, ensuring bearing tabs engage notches in block. Do NOT use any lubricant during installation. Bearing should snap into place with light finger pressure. Install thrust bearings in center (number 3) position with oil grooves facing outward.
9. 9

   Perform Plastigage measurement
   Place strip of Plastigage across each crankshaft journal parallel to crankshaft centerline. Carefully lower crankshaft into block, ensuring it seats fully on bearings. Install lower bearing shells in main caps (without lubrication). Install main caps in correct position and orientation. Install NEW main cap bolts finger tight, then torque vertical bolts to 30 lb-ft ONLY (do not add 90 degrees yet). Torque side bolts to 22 lb-ft. Do not rotate crankshaft.
   ⚠This is a clearance check only. Do not apply oil to bearings or crankshaft during this step.
   Torque spec

   Main Cap Bolts (Vertical)75 Nm (55 lb-ft) + 90°

   Main Cap Side Bolts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Measure bearing clearances
    Carefully remove main caps one at a time without rotating crankshaft. Remove Plastigage from journal and measure width using Plastigage envelope scale. Record clearance for each bearing. Acceptable clearance is 0.0011-0.0026 inch for main bearings. If clearance is too tight, verify correct bearings. If too loose, determine if undersize bearings are required based on journal measurements. Remove crankshaft.
    ⚠Bearing clearance outside specification will cause rapid bearing failure. Do not proceed until correct clearance is achieved.
11. 11

    Final bearing installation with lubrication
    Remove all Plastigage residue. Thoroughly lubricate all upper bearing shells with clean engine assembly lube or 0W-20 oil. Lubricate crankshaft journals. Carefully install crankshaft into block. Lubricate lower bearing shells and install in main caps. Ensure thrust bearing tabs are properly aligned. Verify each main cap number and orientation before installation.
    ℹ️Some technicians prefer dedicated engine assembly lube, while others use clean engine oil. Both are acceptable for this application.
12. 12

    Torque main bearing caps
    Install main caps in numerical order starting with cap number 3 (center/thrust bearing). Install NEW main cap bolts and NEW side bolts. Hand tighten all bolts first. Using proper torque sequence (from center outward), torque all five main cap vertical bolts to 30 lb-ft. Then apply additional 90 degrees rotation to each vertical bolt using angle gauge. Finally, torque all main cap side bolts to 22 lb-ft. After torquing, push crankshaft fully forward and then rearward to seat thrust bearing. Verify crankshaft rotates freely by hand.
    ⚠️Main cap bolts are torque-to-yield and must be NEW. Side bolts should also be replaced. Never reuse torque-to-yield fasteners.
    ⚠Torque sequence is critical: Center cap first, then work outward alternating sides. Improper sequence will warp crankshaft.
    Torque spec

    Main Cap Bolts (Vertical)75 Nm (55 lb-ft) + 90°

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

    Check crankshaft endplay
    Using dial indicator or feeler gauge, measure crankshaft endplay at thrust bearing (number 3 position). Push crankshaft fully forward, zero indicator, then push fully rearward and read endplay. Specification is 0.0051-0.0118 inch. If out of specification, verify thrust bearing installation and proper torquing of main caps.
    ⚠Excessive endplay indicates thrust bearing problem and must be corrected before proceeding.
14. 14

    Install rear main seal and oil pump
    Install new rear main seal using appropriate seal driver, ensuring seal is square and seated to proper depth. Install oil pump with new mounting bolts. Install oil pump pickup tube with new O-ring. Apply small amount of RTV to oil pan gasket surfaces per Ford specifications. Install new oil pan gasket and oil pan.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)

    Gasket Bolts25 Nm (19 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Complete engine reassembly
    Install cylinder heads with new head gaskets, torquing head bolts per Ford specification and sequence. Install timing components, ensuring proper timing mark alignment. Install timing cover with new gasket, apply RTV to specified locations. Install all remaining components in reverse order of removal. Prime oil system using priming tool through oil filter mount before installing filter. Install new oil filter and fill engine with 7.5 quarts Motorcraft 0W-20 oil.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

    Gasket Surface Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall engine in vehicle following reverse of removal procedure, ensuring all motor mounts are properly aligned and torqued.
2. Reconnect transmission, torquing bell housing bolts to specification.
3. Reinstall exhaust system with new gaskets at manifold flanges.
4. Reinstall all accessories (alternator, A/C compressor, power steering pump) and route accessory drive belt.
5. Reconnect all electrical connectors, fuel lines, and coolant hoses.
6. Fill cooling system with 16 quarts Motorcraft Orange Coolant, bleed air from system.
7. Double-check all fluid levels before starting engine.

Verification

• Perform visual inspection under vehicle for any fluid leaks before starting engine.
• With oil pressure gauge installed (if available), verify oil pressure builds immediately upon cranking. Oil pressure should reach 25+ psi within 5 seconds of startup.
• Start engine and monitor for unusual noises. Engine should run smoothly without knocking or ticking from lower end.
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature while monitoring for leaks. Check oil pressure at idle (minimum 10 psi hot) and at 2000 RPM (40-70 psi).
• After initial 20 minute break-in run, shut down engine and recheck oil level. Inspect for any leaks around oil pan, timing cover, and rear main seal.
• Perform test drive, monitoring engine temperature, oil pressure, and listening for abnormal noises under load.
• After 500 miles, perform first oil and filter change to remove any break-in debris.

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