When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just got my new ride home after 1100 miles of trailering (with a 2013 F150 5.0 ) FE390 was rebuilt in 2001 and only has around 7k on it, but she sat for nearly 3 years and needs some lovin. I want to pull the motor and replace seals, freeze plugs, water pump etc..... anything I can get to with the motor out, which should be about everything
Any suggestions for order of disassembly for engine removal or tricks of the trade that will make my life easier would be greatly appreciated..... This will be my first engine pull and im not too proud to beg
I would unbolt the gearbox from the bellhousing, disconnect battery. Remove starter. remove two nuts which hold engine in. Remove fan shroud. Disconnect power steering hoses if equipped and fuel line. Disconnect coil wires and any wires going to oil pressure gage and water temp. Drain radiator and disconnect heater hoses and radiator hoses Then jack it up and out!!
Removing grill and radiator support makes life a lot easier.
Have you run it yet? Might want to clean the carb, turn the motor by hand while watching the valve train, and then start it. Get it warm, drive it around the yard, and then do a leak down test. You might find you want to rebuild or at least freshen up the internals since you're going to have it out anyway. It'd suck to replace seals and such only to find out the last rebuild missed something and then you end up pulling the engine again...pulling an FE and putting it back is about two days work for me.
A nice easy test drive might reveal something else on the truck that needs attention which can be taken care of if/when the engine goes to a machine shop.
Cell phone video of entire engine compartment from multiple angles. With these trucks taking the front clip off is so easy it doesn't make sense not to when pulling the motor. Leave as much wiring attached to the item and remove it from the motor, pulling it to the side of the fender aprons (example... Coil) or label everything you don't. Remove exhaust from manifolds before removing manifolds from the heads.
14 bolts and the complete front clip will come off and make for way better working conditions. Leave the transmission and xfer case in place, unless they need worked over also.
Like HIO said... lots of pics and bag and tag. The simple stuff like lines and linkages can trip you up. The pics + tags help a lot.
I also agree it would be a good idea to clean it up and run it a bit first to make sure you know what you are dealing with. Is the carb gummed up for example? Maybe even do a compression test. With a fresh rebuild 3 years ago it may leak a little but should run OK with a decent carb and tuneup.
Thanks for the quick replies, hopefully I will start to disassemble soon. I did test drive it before I bought it and the engine was strong, with no obvious crazyness happening.... Will be doing by myself with my 15 year old, which is a mixed blessing.... Will be taking the patient approach, keeping a journal and timeline along with tagging every wire, nut and bolt...
Thanks for the quick replies, hopefully I will start to disassemble soon. I did test drive it before I bought it and the engine was strong, with no obvious crazyness happening.... Will be doing by myself with my 15 year old, which is a mixed blessing.... Will be taking the patient approach, keeping a journal and timeline along with tagging every wire, nut and bolt...
Note... Before pulling, set the engine to TDC and mark the rotor position.
Time to go shopping.....Head to Walmart and pick up a few sizes of their house-brand plastic bags.. lil snack size, quart zip seals, and gallon-size zip seals, a few black and silver Sharpies, paper towels, a pump bottle of Fast Orange hand cleaner or tub of Go-Jo, and a bag of Jonny-cat cat litter to absorb spills.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
First engine pull, advice from you !
(with a 2013 F150 5.0 
) FE390 was rebuilt in 2001 and only has around 7k on it, but she sat for nearly 3 years and needs some lovin. I want to pull the motor and replace seals, freeze plugs, water pump etc..... anything I can get to with the motor out, which should be about everything 
