3.5L Long Block Engine Assembly for 2013-2014 Ford F-150

A quick look at your own vehicle makes sure the right engine shows up:

• Verify your VIN's 8th digit is 'T'.
• Verify your truck's build date (for 2014 models) is on or before December 15, 2013.
• Check your turbocharger blow-off valve (BOV) setup: confirm you have a single electronic blow-off valve mounted on the plastic Y-pipe near the radiator, rather than mechanical valves on the turbos.
• Confirm your drivetrain is a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive F-150.

What the install really takes — plan and budget with confidence:

Special tools this job needs:

• Camshaft Holding Tool (Ford OEM 303-1248)
• Crankshaft Vibration Damper Remover/Installer (Ford OEM 303-1521)
• Stretch Belt Installer Tool (Lisle 59350)
• Ford-specific timing tool kit
• Fuel line disconnect tools
• Dealer-level scan tool (Ford IDS or equivalent)

Budget for these consumables at install:

• 6.0 quarts of high-quality full synthetic or synthetic blend 5W-30 motor oil meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A
• Motorcraft FL-500S oil filter
• Approximately 3.5 to 4 gallons of Motorcraft Orange (or updated Motorcraft Yellow) coolant mixed 50/50 with distilled water
• 6 new Motorcraft SP-580 (or SP-534) spark plugs manually gapped to 0.028-0.030 inches
• Upper and lower intake manifold gaskets
• Exhaust manifold gaskets, stainless steel manifold studs, and nuts
• Turbocharger mounting gaskets, oil feed/drain gaskets, and brand-new turbo coolant line quick-connect fittings
• Valve cover gaskets
• Front crankshaft seal
• Oil pan gasket (if disturbed)
• Torque-to-Yield (TTY) bolts: crankshaft pulley bolt, camshaft phaser bolts, and high-pressure fuel pump mounting bolts

What your vehicle’s computers will need after the swap:

What’s involved: Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Relearn (Misfire Monitor Neutral Profile Correction), Throttle Body Idle Relearn, and PCM Software Update

When you install a replacement engine, the PCM must learn the physical profile of the new engine's crankshaft reluctor wheel. A dealer-level scan tool (Ford IDS) or advanced diagnostic scan tool (such as Snap-on or FORScan with an OBDLink adapter) is required to trigger the relearn. It is also highly recommended to check and update the vehicle's PCM to the latest available software calibration to ensure all fixes from recalls and TSBs are applied.

Pro tips for a smooth first start-up — hand them to whoever does the install:

• Turbo Coolant Line 'Jiffy-Tite' Fittings: These quick-connect fittings are extremely fragile and notorious for leaking once disturbed. Do not attempt to reuse old fittings or O-rings.
• Turbocharger Oil Feed Line Filters: These lines contain tiny inline filter screens that can starve your turbos of oil if clogged. Always replace these feed lines and screens.
• Rear Vacuum Pump O-Ring: The mechanical brake vacuum pump is nearly impossible to access once the engine is in the truck. Replace the pump's mounting O-ring on the engine stand.
• High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Alignment: Ensure the camshaft lobe is at its lowest point (base circle) before tightening the pump down to avoid stripping threads or bending the plunger.
• Cab-Off Installation: The most common professional method for this engine swap is to lift the entire cab off the frame to provide wide-open access.

Easy to get right once you know them:

• Reusing Old Turbo Coolant Fittings: They almost always leak after being disturbed, forcing hours of teardown labor.
• Incorrect Spark Plug Gap: Installing plugs straight out of the box without manually gapping them down to 0.028 inches causes spark blowout under boost.
• Reusing Torque-to-Yield Bolts: Reusing the crankshaft pulley bolt, camshaft phaser bolts, or high-pressure fuel pump bolts can lead to slipped timing or fuel leaks.
• Skipping the Timing Chain Inspection/Replacement: Installing a used engine without replacing the timing chain and phasers on the stand is a massive gamble.
• Mixing Up Model Years: Attempting to install this 2013-2014 engine into a 2011-2012 truck without swapping over the entire turbo system, vacuum lines, and intercooler piping.
• Ignoring 'LESS TURBOS': Assuming this engine comes with turbochargers and failing to prepare for transferring the old ones.
• Not Cleaning the Intercooler: Failing to clean the intercooler and associated piping of debris or oil from a previous engine failure.

Not issues with the units on this page — the manufacturer documented these for every engine of this family, wherever you buy one. Handy for your installer: