How hard is it to replace a 6.0L engine? Im looking at buying an '06 with bad main bearings. My mechanic friend said to replace the engine vs. trying to replace the bearing(s). Is that something I can tackle as a rookie? What would it cost me? What special tools would I need?

 

https://www.diyford.com/ford-power-s...l-disassembly/

take a peek on how its done and see if your up to it

 

I've pulled my engine twice within the last 3 months now, it's not too bad. I can get it out in maybe 3/4 of a day or less, putting it back in is about a day. You'll want an engine lift plate, makes it 10x easier to pull out instead of using the OEM lugs and a chain. I purchased one from TooManyToys, I'm not sure if he's still selling his on youtube or not though. Need the obvious engine crane and engine stand, the HF ones work for both of those. Everything else just normal hand tools mostly, some torx bits and IPR socket are maybe the most specialty tools I can think of.

I just went through a similar process: I just picked up a salvage engine for $3000 from an 06. I wanted to do bottom end seals since I hate oil leaks and those can't be done in frame so that was about $150 in seals. While I had the bedplate off for the seals, the main bearings looked not desirable so I ended up putting new rod and main bearings in with a crank polish. That came out to around $400 in total. I left the head gaskets alone and pretty much everything else top side. Oil cooler came back to bite me, so I replaced that in truck a few days after install and that was around $400. Coolant, coolant flush, oil, filters puts you around $200-300. All in all I'm in around $4250 plus some misc seals and stuff. Assuming you have the space, its not too bad.

 

If you search the auctions, maybe find a totaled, low-mile truck to pull the engine from. That way you know what it came out of, and that it was running at the time of the wreck. Might sell some parts off it and get a few hundred for the carcass at the scrapyard.

 

The lift plates still are listed on YouTube.

 

"How hard" is entirely too subjective. It IS very possible to do in your garage. Lots of guys have done it. Even without removing the cab. Just be real safe and slow. That engine is one heavy mother. B.