I have a 2018 3.5 Eco Boost with 90K miles. At 50K miles the cam phasers were repaired, (under warranty fortunately), due to terrible noise at start-up. Now the engine makes a similar noise at start-up, at idle and when accelerating from a slow speed. Also, when accelerating from a dead stop, there is a noticeable hesitation at about 10 mph then a lunge as it seems to "catch up". The Ford dealer says this is all "normal". I'm afraid the engine is going to fail at any time and I no longer have confidence in it.

Is it possible to replace the 3.5 Eco with the 5.0 V8? Maybe a stupid question but I'm looking for options.

 

This was a simple thing to do, once upon a time......

Now however, this is NOT a simple thing to do. Apart from swapping engines, you're swapping a PCM, a wiring harness, then reflashing about half the modules in the truck to make them all understand that it is now a V8 truck.

I'm glossing over a lot truthfully, but the short story is you'll be money ahead trading one truck for another, not to mention, time, trouble, and a LOT of headaches!

Tim

 

You would be better off swapping out for another truck with the 5.0 IMHO.

 

Not to mention i'm not sure that the 3.5 Eco Boost Transmission will bolt up to the 5.0 meaning you would need the 5.0 engine plus a transmission that will bolt up to the 5.0!!

 

The swap is very easy. Go to a dealer and trade it in.

 

Thanks for the comments. Everything I'm hearing and reading says changing to a different engine is a mess. Wish I had researched the eco boost more before buying one. Big mistake.

 

Which part number cam phaser did you have installed last time?

It is possible you had the HL3Z- part instead of the ML3Z- part installed depending on when the work was done.
Perhaps you can convince Ford to cover some or all of the cost, get the latest part, and be good to go.

There aren't many other issues with the 3.5 motor.

 

they changed the phasers, the updated ones fix the cold start rattle.

 

Did you follow the IOLM for oil changes?

Just wondering if there is any real benefit in changing on an earlier interval.

I have been doing changes at about 5000 miles, based on oil analysis reports.

I have about 165000 kilometers, so a little over 100000 miles now.

 

zzz