Complete replacement of the short block assembly on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, including removal of cylinder heads, internal components, and installation of new short block with timing components.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Short block assembly (complete with pistons, crank, block) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Head gasket set × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing chain kit (chains, guides, tensioners) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pump × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft front seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Crankshaft rear seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Connecting rod bolts (set) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Main bearing cap bolts (set) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Oil filter × 1 — FL-820S or equivalent
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• All cover and accessory gaskets × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine coolant × 16 — Motorcraft Orange Coolant
• RTV silicone sealant (Motorcraft TA-357) × 2 — TA-357

Fluids

• Motorcraft 0W-20 Full Synthetic — 7.5 qt
• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 16 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 cooling system at radiator petcock and engine block drain plugs
4. Remove engine cover and air intake system completely
5. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and cranking engine until it stalls
6. Document and photograph all vacuum lines, electrical connectors, and hose routing
7. Support vehicle on jack stands at appropriate lift points with wheels chocked
8. Remove front skid plate if equipped
9. Position drain pans and prepare workspace for engine removal

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove accessory drive components
   Remove serpentine belt by rotating tensioner counterclockwise. Remove alternator, power steering pump (leave lines attached and secure aside), A/C compressor (leave lines attached and secure aside), and all accessory brackets. Mark mounting bolt locations for reassembly.
   Torque spec

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

   Disconnect exhaust and remove manifolds
   Disconnect exhaust pipes at manifold flanges. Remove oxygen sensors. Remove exhaust manifolds and set aside with gaskets. Inspect studs for damage and replace if necessary.
   ⚠Exhaust components may be extremely hot if engine was recently run. Allow minimum 2 hours cooling time.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove fuel system and electrical components
   Disconnect fuel lines using quick-disconnect tools. Remove fuel rail with injectors as an assembly and cap all openings. Disconnect all engine wiring harnesses including coil connectors, sensor connectors, and main engine harness. Remove ignition coils and spark plugs.
   ⚠️Residual fuel pressure may remain in fuel lines. Have shop towels ready to catch fuel spray.
   Torque spec

   Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove intake manifold and throttle body
   Disconnect all vacuum lines and PCV hoses from intake manifold. Remove throttle body and intake manifold assembly in sections (upper and lower). Clean and inspect mounting surfaces. Remove intake runners if necessary for access.
   Torque spec

   Gasket Bolts25 Nm (19 lb-ft)

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Disconnect transmission and remove engine
   Support transmission with transmission jack. Remove transmission-to-engine bolts while supporting engine weight with engine hoist. Disconnect all remaining coolant hoses, heater hoses, and ground straps. Carefully lift engine from engine bay using hoist with load leveler, ensuring nothing remains connected.
   ⚠️Engine weighs approximately 450 lbs. Ensure hoist and chains are rated for minimum 1000 lbs capacity.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Mount engine and remove external components
   Mount engine securely on engine stand using bellhousing bolt holes. Remove flywheel using star pattern removal sequence. Remove crankshaft pulley using holding tool and impact wrench or breaker bar. Remove front timing cover after removing all bolts in reverse of tightening sequence.
   Torque spec

   Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)

   Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)

   Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove timing components
   Verify crankshaft and camshaft timing marks are aligned at TDC cylinder #1. Mark timing chain positions on gears with paint pen. Remove timing chain tensioners, guides, and chains. Remove camshaft phasers/VCT units. Keep all components organized and labeled for transfer to new short block if reusing.
8. 8

   Remove cylinder heads
   Remove cylinder head bolts in reverse of tightening sequence (outside to inside pattern). Carefully lift cylinder heads off block using head lifting brackets or pry points. Do NOT pry between head and block gasket surfaces. Inspect heads and set aside for cleaning and inspection or transfer to machine shop.
   ⚠Cylinder heads weigh approximately 50 lbs each. Use proper lifting technique or assistance.
9. 9

   Remove oil pan and oil pump
   Remove oil pan bolts in sequence and carefully separate pan from block. Remove oil pickup tube. Remove oil pump mounting bolts and extract oil pump assembly. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly.
   Torque spec

   Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

   Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Prepare and install new short block
    Verify new short block matches specifications and includes all internal components (pistons, rods, crank, bearings installed). Check that connecting rod bolts and main bearing cap bolts are new TTY bolts. Rotate crankshaft to verify smooth operation. Set short block on engine stand in same orientation as removed engine.
11. 11

    Install oil pump and oil pan
    Install new oil pump with new gasket, aligning pump drive to crankshaft. Torque oil pump bolts to specification. Install oil pickup tube. Clean oil pan mating surface and apply RTV sealant at front cover-to-block and rear seal retainer-to-block corners. Install oil pan with new gasket and torque bolts in sequence from center outward.
    Torque spec

    Oil Pump Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)

    Oil Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install cylinder heads
    Clean block deck surfaces thoroughly with gasket scraper and brake cleaner. Install new head gaskets with alignment dowels. Carefully lower cylinder heads onto block ensuring gaskets remain aligned. Install NEW head bolts (TTY) and torque in proper sequence: first pass to initial torque, then angle torque in specified increments per Ford service manual.
    ⚠️Head bolts are TTY and must be new. Follow exact torque sequence and angle specifications from service manual.
13. 13

    Install timing components
    Install new crankshaft front seal in timing cover. Install timing cover with new gasket and torque 8mm bolts to specification in proper sequence. Install crankshaft pulley with new bolt if TTY specified. Install timing chains, guides, and tensioners per Ford timing procedure with crankshaft at TDC #1 and camshaft alignment tools installed. Verify all timing marks align correctly before final tensioner installation.
    ⚠️Timing chain must be installed with exact alignment. Rotate engine two complete revolutions by hand and recheck all timing marks before proceeding.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts20 Nm (15 lb-ft)

    Crankshaft Pulley Bolt180 Nm (133 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Install external components and reinstall engine
    Install new crankshaft rear seal in retainer. Install flywheel with new bolts (if TTY) and torque in star pattern. Install all sensors transferred from old engine using new seals where applicable. Remove engine from stand and attach to hoist. Carefully lower engine into engine bay, aligning with transmission bellhousing. Install transmission-to-engine bolts and torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)

    Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Complete reassembly and fill fluids
    Reinstall all remaining components in reverse order of removal: intake manifold, fuel system, exhaust manifolds, accessories, belts, and electrical connections. Install new oil filter. Fill engine with 7.5 quarts Motorcraft 0W-20 synthetic oil. Fill cooling system with 16 quarts Motorcraft Orange coolant and bleed air from system. Double-check all connections, bolts, and fluid levels.
    Torque spec

    Gasket Bolts25 Nm (19 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)

    Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all torque-to-yield bolts were replaced with new parts
2. Confirm all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
3. Verify serpentine belt is properly routed and tensioned
4. Check that no tools or parts remain in engine bay
5. Reconnect negative battery cable last

Verification

• Perform initial start with oil pressure gauge monitoring - should see pressure within 5 seconds
• Check for oil, coolant, and fuel leaks while engine idles
• Allow engine to reach operating temperature and verify cooling fans cycle properly
• Check for abnormal noises or vibrations during idle and light throttle
• Perform road test under light load, monitoring oil pressure and temperature
• Recheck all fluid levels after road test and top off as necessary
• Scan for diagnostic trouble codes and verify no faults are present
• After 500 miles, recheck cylinder head bolt torque if specified by manufacturer

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