[Breg90]

Hello,

I have a 2008 Land Rover Discovery with the 2.7 litre version of the Ford 3.0 V6 you get in the 2018 onwards F150. I am currently rebuilding the car in Scotland.

I'm looking for main and big end bearings, but in Europe you can't get the OEM bearings (engine is used in Jaguar, Land Rovers and Citroens - no one lists the bearings). You can get after market bearings from KING or FAI. But the OEM bearings are available in different tolerances to give the ideal running clearances (and hence best oil pressure). The aftermarket bearing are not, so I am trying to obtain Ford bearings.

Looking on Ford USA parts web sites you can order the relevant bearings. Example:

Crankshaft/Pistons and Bearings - 2018 Ford F-150 (fordpartsgiant.com)

BUT I am not 100% sure that the bearing journal sizes are the same and I need to obtain the Ford sizing chart to be able to select the right 'color' (tolerance) bearing.

I know that in Europe the 2.7 liter & 3.0 Liter have/had the same journal diameters, the only difference is that at some point the main bearings gained an anti rotation tab - you can machine in a slot in the main bearing caps to accommodate this in the earlier engine.

Request/Questions:

1. Do you know the main and big end bearing journal diameters on the 3.0 V6 Lion as fitted to the F150?
2. Do you know of a source for the bearing sizing chart (color codes) or the engine workshop manual?

I'd appreciate any help you can offer.

Adrian

P.s. If you are interested my rebuild can be seen on this forum:

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Rusty boot floor / Body removal

 

[Breg90]

Mcarlo,

Yes they did make changes, but to what? They advertised the fact it is now a forged crank. Beyond that information seems scant. I read some where (and now can't find it) that the big end journals were increased in size - now I have my crank on my bench it is clear that this would strengthen the crank webs and help avoid the fatigue failure issues we have in the Land Rover application.

But this would mean that main bearings could be the same size & potentially have newer higher rated shell materials.

I'm interested in this as I have worn bearings (precautionary strip down - engine ran fine). But on looking at the design the bearing is very, very narrow compared to it's diameter. This will mean that journal wear will quickly cause low oil pressure. Low oil pressure will cause contact, bearing wear and then I think the crank defects on each engine revolution and fails through fatigue.

Also Ford have at least 3 different main bearing shells for a standard main bearing to get exactly the right clearance - After market bearings are just one size only. So you might be OK, but could have poor oil pressure immediately if you go the aftermarket route.

So looking to see if I can fit bearings out of your version of the engine into mine! Its even more attractive as you can actually buy the bearings - we can't in europe.

Thanks for the interest and information to date - much appreciated!

Adrian

 

[Breg90]

STIAJW,

Appreciate the information - Thanks! I have set out what I have found in the PDF for your information:

Some follow on questions if you don't mind?
1/. Does the F150 service manual have the sizing charts to select the right combination of bearing colors to get the right clearances?
2/. Is there a source for this magical service manual!!

Thanks,

Adrian

 

[Breg90]

I should have also stated that the main and journal sizes seem to be the same on the 2.7, 3.0 and the 'American' 3.0.

 

[Breg90]

Thought I would come back and update. Based on STIAJW's info I ordered a pair of bearings for the mains and big ends - I went with the 'yellow' size. No idea if a yellow bearing is the smallest, biggest. Delivery from the US was sooooo slooow.

Any way visually they are the same size. See the picture below. From left to right - LR 2.7 main lower bearing - Ford F150 3.0 main lower bearing - LR 2.7 main upper bearing - Ford F150 main upper bearing.

I believe that the only difference is the bearing coating. Hopefully it's better than the green coating we had.

I have now ordered the other sizes (red and Blue) so that I can measure up and trial fit in each location to determine the right bearing for each loaction. I will also have to relive the main bearing caps to account for the anti rotation tabs.

Any way thanks for your input Gents.

Adrian