Connecting Rod Bearings

This procedure involves removing the oil pan and crankshaft caps to access and replace the connecting rod bearings on the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, requiring extensive disassembly and precision reassembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Connecting rod bearing set (8 pairs) × 1 — Motorcraft or OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil filter × 1 — Motorcraft FL-500-S
• Oil pan drain plug gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• RTV silicone sealant (Motorcraft) × 1 — TA-357 or equivalent
• Lower engine mount bolts (if removed) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

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

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 10 minutes for airbag system to discharge
3. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter
4. Drain approximately 2 quarts of coolant from radiator to prevent spillage when raising engine
5. Remove engine cover and air intake system
6. Install engine support fixture or attach engine hoist to lifting eyes on cylinder heads
7. Raise and support vehicle on jack stands rated for vehicle weight
8. Remove front skid plate if equipped
9. Remove starter motor to access flywheel/flexplate for crankshaft rotation
10. Mark distributor position or note crankshaft position for reassembly reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Support Engine and Remove Motor Mounts
   Using the engine hoist or support fixture, take slight tension on the engine weight. Remove the front motor mount bolts from the engine block. Carefully raise the engine approximately 2-3 inches to gain clearance for oil pan removal. Do not exceed this height to avoid damaging hoses, wiring, or accessories.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove Oil Pan
   Remove all oil pan bolts in reverse sequence from outside to center. Carefully separate oil pan from engine block using a plastic pry tool at designated pry points only. Do not pry on gasket mating surfaces. Lower oil pan and remove completely from vehicle. Remove old gasket material from block using plastic scraper.
   ⚠Oil pan gasket surface on aluminum block is easily damaged. Use only plastic tools on mating surface.
   Torque spec

   Gasket Bolts25 Nm (19 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove Oil Pump Pickup Tube
   Remove the bolts securing the oil pump pickup tube to the oil pump and main bearing cap. Carefully remove the pickup tube and O-ring. Inspect pickup screen for debris and clean if necessary. Set aside for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

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

   Rotate Crankshaft to Access First Rod
   Using a 24mm socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt, rotate the crankshaft until cylinder 1 piston is at bottom dead center (BDC). This positions the connecting rod cap for removal. Mark the connecting rod cap and rod with cylinder number and orientation (front/rear) using a paint pen before removal.
   ℹ️All connecting rod caps must be marked for position and orientation before removal to ensure correct reassembly.
5. 5

   Remove First Connecting Rod Cap
   Remove the two connecting rod bolts from cylinder 1 using a box wrench or socket. These are torque-to-yield bolts and must be discarded. Carefully remove the connecting rod cap and bearing shell. Keep cap and bearing together and labeled. Do not allow the connecting rod to contact the crankshaft journal.
   ⚠Connecting rod bolts are torque-to-yield and cannot be reused. New bolts are required for reassembly.
6. 6

   Inspect Crankshaft Journal and Measure Clearance
   Clean the crankshaft journal with lint-free cloth and brake cleaner. Inspect for scoring, discoloration, or damage. Measure journal diameter with micrometer at multiple points. Place a strip of Plastigage on the journal parallel to crankshaft centerline. Install the old bearing and cap (or new bearing if old is damaged) and torque to 18 lb-ft only. Remove cap and measure Plastigage width against package scale. Clearance should be 0.001-0.003 inches. Record measurements.
   ⚠Do not rotate crankshaft with Plastigage installed. This will give false readings.
7. 7

   Install New Bearing and Rod Cap for Cylinder 1
   Remove Plastigage completely. Install new bearing shell into connecting rod, ensuring the tang is properly seated in the rod notch. Install new bearing shell into cap with tang seated. Lubricate bearing surfaces thoroughly with clean engine oil. Carefully guide connecting rod down onto crankshaft journal, protecting journal from rod contact. Install cap in correct orientation matching previous marks. Install NEW connecting rod bolts finger tight.
   ⚠Bearing tangs must be fully seated in rod and cap notches. Improper seating will cause bearing failure.
8. 8

   Torque Cylinder 1 Rod Bolts
   Using torque wrench, torque connecting rod bolts to 18 lb-ft in Step 1. Continue to 33 lb-ft in Step 2. Using torque angle gauge, rotate bolts an additional 90 degrees in Step 3. Verify rod side clearance is 0.006-0.014 inches using feeler gauge. Rotate crankshaft by hand to verify smooth rotation without binding.
   ⚠Torque-to-yield procedure must be followed exactly. Over-torquing will stretch bolts beyond specification.
   Torque spec

   Connecting Rod Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft) + 90°
9. 9

   Repeat for Remaining Cylinders
   Rotate crankshaft to position next connecting rod at BDC. Repeat steps 4-8 for cylinders 2 through 8, working in a systematic pattern. Suggested sequence: 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 (firing order sequence). Maintain meticulous cleanliness and ensure each bearing is properly oriented and lubricated. Keep all caps and bearings organized by cylinder number.
   ℹ️This is the most time-consuming portion of the job. Allow adequate time and do not rush installation.
10. 10

    Verify Crankshaft Rotation
    After all connecting rod bearings are installed and torqued, manually rotate the crankshaft through at least two complete revolutions. Rotation should be smooth with no binding or tight spots. If resistance is felt, stop immediately and inspect for incorrect bearing installation, debris, or damaged components.
    ⚠️Any binding during manual rotation indicates a serious problem. Do not attempt to start engine until issue is resolved.
11. 11

    Reinstall Oil Pump Pickup Tube
    Install new O-ring on oil pump pickup tube. Position pickup tube into oil pump and align bolt holes with main bearing cap. Install bolts and torque to specification. Verify pickup tube is properly seated and secure.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install Oil Pan
    Clean oil pan gasket surface thoroughly with brake cleaner and plastic scraper. Install new oil pan gasket, ensuring proper alignment with bolt holes. Apply small bead of RTV silicone at front and rear main seal junctions as specified in service manual. Position oil pan onto block and install all bolts finger tight. Torque oil pan bolts in sequence from center outward to specification.
    ℹ️RTV silicone must cure for 30 minutes before filling with oil. Follow RTV manufacturer instructions.
    Torque spec

    Gasket Bolts25 Nm (19 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall Motor Mounts and Lower Engine
    Carefully lower engine using hoist or support fixture until motor mounts align with mounting points. Install motor mount bolts and torque to specification. Remove engine support equipment. Verify all electrical connectors, hoses, and accessories have proper clearance.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Prime Oil System
    Install oil pump priming tool in place of distributor or through oil filter housing (depending on 5.0L Coyote configuration). Connect drill to priming tool and rotate clockwise until oil pressure is observed on gauge or oil flows from valve covers. Prime for minimum 30 seconds. Remove priming tool and reinstall components.
    ⚠Oil system must be primed before starting engine to prevent bearing damage during initial startup.
15. 15

    Complete Reassembly and Fill Fluids
    Reinstall starter motor and torque to specification. Reinstall front skid plate if equipped. Lower vehicle from jack stands. Install new oil filter and fill engine with 7.5 quarts of Motorcraft 0W-20 synthetic oil. Top off coolant to proper level. Reinstall air intake system and engine cover. Reconnect negative battery cable.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. All connecting rod bolts are single-use torque-to-yield and must be replaced with new bolts
2. Ensure RTV silicone has cured for minimum 30 minutes before adding engine oil
3. Double-check that all connecting rod caps are installed in correct orientation and cylinder position
4. Verify oil pan drain plug is tight with new gasket installed

Verification

• Start engine and verify oil pressure builds within 5 seconds. Normal oil pressure is 25-80 psi depending on RPM and temperature
• Listen for any unusual knocking or ticking sounds during idle and light acceleration
• Check for oil leaks around oil pan gasket, paying attention to front and rear seal areas
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify no leaks or abnormal noises
• Perform test drive and monitor oil pressure, engine temperature, and listen for bearing noise under load
• After 500 miles, change oil and filter and inspect for metal debris in oil or filter media

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