Complete removal and reinstallation of the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine from a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 RWD, including disconnection of all engine accessories, transmission separation, and engine hoist extraction.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Engine coolant × 1 — Motorcraft Orange VC-3DIL-B
• Transmission fluid (if contaminated) × 1 — Motorcraft MERCON LV XT-10-QLVC
• Oil drain plug crush washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Exhaust manifold gaskets × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Intake manifold gaskets (if disturbed) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Lower radiator hose (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Upper radiator hose (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Flywheel bolts (if TTY type) × 8 — Use OEM specification
• Anti-seize compound × 1 — Nickel-based high-temp

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. Chock rear wheels.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable, then positive cable. Remove battery from vehicle.
3. Remove engine cover and air intake system completely from throttle body to air filter housing.
4. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and cranking engine until it stalls.
5. Raise vehicle on lift or secure on jack stands at frame rails. Ensure adequate working clearance underneath.
6. Drain engine coolant completely from radiator petcock and engine block drain plugs into appropriate container.
7. Drain engine oil and remove oil filter. Install drain plug with new crush washer.
8. Remove front skid plate if equipped.
9. Take multiple photos of all connections and routing before disassembly for reassembly reference.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove cooling system components
   Disconnect upper and lower radiator hoses from engine. Remove radiator fan shroud bolts and lift shroud/fan assembly out. Disconnect transmission cooler lines from radiator. Remove radiator mounting bolts and lift radiator from vehicle. Disconnect heater hoses at firewall connections. Cap all open coolant ports to prevent debris entry.
2. 2

   Disconnect fuel system and vacuum lines
   Using fuel line disconnect tools, separate fuel supply and return lines at engine-mounted connections. Plug fuel lines to prevent leakage. Disconnect brake booster vacuum line from intake manifold. Disconnect all vacuum lines to EVAP canister, PCV system, and intake manifold. Label each line during removal.
   ⚠️Have fire extinguisher nearby. Even with pressure relieved, residual fuel will be present in lines.
3. 3

   Remove accessory drive components
   Remove serpentine belt by rotating tensioner clockwise and sliding belt off pulleys. Disconnect AC compressor electrical connector. Remove AC compressor mounting bolts and secure compressor to frame with wire or strap without disconnecting refrigerant lines. Disconnect alternator electrical connections (B+ cable and harness connector). Remove alternator mounting bolts and remove alternator. Disconnect power steering pump electrical connector if equipped. Remove power steering pump bolts and secure pump to frame without disconnecting hydraulic lines.
   Torque spec

   AC Compressor Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Alternator Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

   Power Steering Pump Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Disconnect engine electrical system
   Disconnect all engine harness connectors including: both oxygen sensor connectors (upstream and downstream on each bank), camshaft position sensors (both banks), crankshaft position sensor, knock sensors (both banks), oil pressure sensor, coolant temperature sensor, throttle body connector, fuel injector harness connectors, ignition coil connectors (all 8), and variable camshaft timing solenoids. Release harness from all retaining clips on engine. Disconnect main engine harness connector at firewall pass-through. Move entire engine harness to lie on top of engine for removal with engine.
   Torque spec

   Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)

   Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

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

   Remove exhaust system
   Working from underneath vehicle, spray exhaust manifold flange bolts with penetrating oil. Disconnect both oxygen sensor connectors if not already done. Remove exhaust manifold-to-catalytic converter flange nuts on both sides (4 nuts per side). If exhaust is seized, use reciprocating saw to cut exhaust pipes just behind flanges. Lower exhaust forward section and support away from work area. Note: Studs may come out with nuts - this is normal.
   ⚠Exhaust studs are prone to breaking on high-mileage vehicles. Apply penetrating oil 24 hours before removal if possible.
   Torque spec

   Exhaust Manifold Nuts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Disconnect throttle body and intake components
   Disconnect throttle body electrical connector if not already done. Remove throttle cable and cruise control cable if equipped (most F-150s use electronic throttle). Disconnect any remaining vacuum lines or PCV hoses from intake manifold. Remove any brackets or wiring harness supports attached to intake manifold. The intake manifold can remain on engine for removal.
7. 7

   Prepare transmission separation
   From underneath vehicle, remove transmission inspection cover. Mark flexplate-to-torque converter position with paint marker for reassembly alignment. Remove all torque converter-to-flexplate bolts by rotating crankshaft with 21mm socket on crankshaft bolt (rotate in normal direction only). Remove starter motor electrical connections, then remove starter mounting bolts and remove starter. Support transmission securely with transmission jack placed under transmission pan. Adjust jack height so transmission is level and fully supported.
   ⚠Transmission weighs approximately 200 lbs. Ensure transmission jack is properly positioned and secured before removing engine-to-transmission bolts.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove transmission-to-engine bolts
   Locate and remove all transmission bellhousing-to-engine block bolts. There are typically 6-8 bolts of varying lengths around the bellhousing perimeter. Note bolt locations as they are different lengths. Remove upper transmission-to-engine bolts from engine bay. Remove lower bolts from underneath. Ensure transmission jack is securely supporting transmission weight. Leave transmission in vehicle on jack.
   Torque spec

   Transmission-to-Engine Bolts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Disconnect engine mounts
   Support engine with floor jack placed under oil pan using wood block to distribute load. Remove driver side engine mount-to-frame bolts. Remove passenger side engine mount-to-frame bolts. Remove both engine mount-to-block bolts. Engine is now ready for extraction. Verify all electrical connectors, hoses, lines, and fasteners are disconnected.
   ⚠Do not place jack directly against oil pan without wood block protection. Pan damage can occur.
   Torque spec

   Engine Mount-to-Block Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft)

   Engine Mount-to-Frame Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install engine hoist and remove engine
    Position engine hoist over engine bay. Attach engine leveler to hoist chain. Install lifting brackets or chains to engine at designated lifting points (typically front and rear of cylinder heads or intake manifold mounting points). Ensure lifting attachments are secure and balanced. Take up slack in hoist chain until tension is felt but engine is not yet lifting. Remove floor jack from under oil pan. Slowly raise engine while simultaneously tilting engine using leveler to clear firewall, radiator support, and transmission input shaft. Guide engine forward and up, ensuring no components are still attached. Once clear of engine bay, lower onto engine stand or appropriate work surface.
    ⚠️Have assistant guide engine during extraction. Watch clearances at all times. Stop immediately if binding occurs.
11. 11

    Final transmission separation
    With engine removed, inspect transmission input shaft seal for damage. Check that torque converter remained with transmission and did not pull out with engine. If torque converter is loose, push it fully into transmission until it engages pump (should hear/feel 2-3 clicks as it seats). Lower transmission slightly on jack and move rearward if needed for clearance during engine installation.
12. 12

    Inspect and prepare replacement or repaired engine
    If installing different engine, transfer all necessary components: intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, sensors, motor mounts, flexplate/flywheel, and all accessories. Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly. Install new exhaust manifold gaskets. Apply anti-seize to exhaust manifold studs. Ensure flexplate is installed correctly with proper torque and pattern. Verify engine oil is filled to proper level. Install new oil filter. Check that all sensors are transferred and properly torqued.
    ℹ️Flywheel bolts are TTY (torque-to-yield) and must be replaced. Tighten in star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Exhaust Manifold Nuts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)

    Flywheel Bolts95 Nm (70 lb-ft)

    Sensor Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

    Gasket Surface Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install engine into vehicle
    Attach engine to hoist using same lifting points. Ensure transmission is properly positioned and supported on transmission jack. Raise and position engine over engine bay. Adjust engine leveler angle to align engine with transmission bellhousing while clearing firewall and radiator support. Slowly lower engine while guiding transmission input shaft into pilot bearing/bushing in crankshaft. Align engine dowel pins with transmission bellhousing. Once aligned, carefully bring engine and transmission together, ensuring proper engagement. Install two transmission-to-engine bolts hand-tight to hold alignment. Install engine mount-to-block bolts and engine mount-to-frame bolts hand-tight. Verify alignment and proper seating before final torquing.
    ⚠Never force engine and transmission together with bolts. If resistance is felt, separate and realign. Forcing can damage transmission or clutch components.
    Torque spec

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

    Engine Mount-to-Block Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft)

    Engine Mount-to-Frame Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Torque all engine mounting and transmission bolts
    Torque all transmission-to-engine bellhousing bolts to specification in a cross pattern. Torque engine mount-to-block bolts to specification. Torque engine mount-to-frame bolts to specification. Remove engine hoist. Rotate crankshaft to access torque converter bolt holes through inspection cover. Align torque converter to flexplate using marks made during disassembly. Install and torque all torque converter-to-flexplate bolts. Install starter motor and torque starter mounting bolts to specification. Install transmission inspection cover.
    Torque spec

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

    Engine Mount-to-Block Bolts65 Nm (48 lb-ft)

    Engine Mount-to-Frame Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)

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

    Reinstall accessories and components
    Install power steering pump and torque bolts to specification. Reconnect electrical connector. Install alternator and torque mounting bolts to specification. Reconnect all electrical connections. Install AC compressor and torque bolts to specification. Reconnect electrical connector. Install serpentine belt by rotating tensioner and routing belt according to underhood diagram. Connect all exhaust manifold-to-catalytic converter flanges and torque nuts to specification. Install new exhaust gaskets if needed.
    Torque spec

    Power Steering Pump Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Alternator Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    AC Compressor Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

    Exhaust Manifold Nuts30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Reconnect all engine systems
    Route engine harness through firewall pass-through and connect main harness connector. Reconnect all engine electrical connectors: oxygen sensors, camshaft position sensors, crankshaft position sensor, knock sensors, oil pressure sensor, coolant temperature sensor, throttle body, fuel injectors, ignition coils, and variable cam timing solenoids. Secure harness with all retaining clips. Connect fuel supply and return lines using proper fuel line tools. Connect brake booster vacuum line and all other vacuum lines per labels. Connect throttle body and any remaining intake connections.
    Torque spec

    Electrical Connector Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts60 Nm (44 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Install cooling system
    Install radiator and torque mounting bolts. Connect transmission cooler lines to radiator. Install radiator fan shroud assembly. Connect upper and lower radiator hoses to engine with new clamps. Connect heater hoses at firewall connections. Fill cooling system with proper coolant mixture through radiator and overflow reservoir. Burp cooling system by running engine with radiator cap off until thermostat opens and air is purged.
    Torque spec

    Alternator Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall air intake system from throttle body to air filter housing, ensuring all clamps are tight.
2. Install engine cover and secure all fasteners.
3. Reinstall battery, connecting positive cable first, then negative cable.
4. Install front skid plate if equipped.
5. Lower vehicle from lift or jack stands.
6. Double-check that all tools and parts have been removed from engine bay.
7. Verify all fluid levels: engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid.

Verification

• Perform visual inspection of entire engine bay for any disconnected hoses, wires, or loose components.
• Check for any fluid leaks under vehicle before starting engine.
• With ignition on but engine not running, verify all dashboard warning lights illuminate normally then extinguish (except check engine light which may remain).
• Start engine and listen for unusual noises. Engine should start normally without excessive cranking.
• Monitor coolant temperature and verify cooling fans activate at proper temperature.
• Check for coolant, oil, fuel, or exhaust leaks while engine is running.
• Allow engine to reach full operating temperature and verify no overheating occurs.
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal operation: smooth acceleration, proper transmission shifting, no warning lights.
• After test drive, recheck all fluid levels and inspect for any new leaks.
• Clear any diagnostic trouble codes if check engine light is on due to battery disconnect. If codes return, diagnose accordingly.
• Recheck all accessory belt tension and adjust if necessary after initial run time.

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