As one of the leading Mustang experts, we here at LMR have done our fair share of
Coyote Swap Mustangs. From our
Coyote Swap Fox Body project Mercury Rising to our
New Edge Coyote Swap "Keeping Comp", we have learned a lot and developed a lot of Coyote Swap parts to help get the job done easier.
When identifying
Coyote timing covers, the most reliable differences between
Mustang and F-150 applications are visible directly on the cover itself. These distinctions apply across all generations of the Coyote engine, with additional changes introduced in later model years.
Key Visual Differences Between Mustang and F-150 Timing Covers
The easiest way to identify whether a timing cover is from a Mustang or an F-150 is by examining the right-hand side of the cover when viewed from the front of the engine.
On Mustang timing covers, a noticeable section is missing in the lower right corner. This relief was designed to provide clearance for the Mustang’s oil filter housing and oil cooler within the tighter chassis layout. F-150 timing covers do not have this cutout.
Another clear identifier is the alternator mounting location. On Mustang timing covers, the alternator mounting holes are positioned higher on the upper right side. In contrast, F-150 timing covers include additional mounting holes lower on the cover, allowing the alternator to sit in a lower position. Along with this change, the F-150 timing cover does not include the idler pulley mounting provision found on the Mustang cover in this area.
2018–Current F-150 Timing Cover Change
Starting in 2018, Ford revised the F-150 Coyote timing cover on the left-hand side. This update added mounting provisions that allow the A/C compressor to bolt directly to the timing cover using the two forward-most bolts. This design change remains in place on current-production F-150 Coyotes.
Mustang Coyote engines did not receive this update and continue to mount the A/C compressor directly to the engine block rather than the timing cover.
2021+ F-150 Timing Cover and VDE Changes
In 2021, the 5.0L F-150 Coyote received another significant update with the introduction of Variable Displacement Engine (VDE), also known as cylinder deactivation. This change required a redesigned cylinder head, which in turn affected the timing cover.
As a result, the upper portion of the F-150 timing cover became taller to accommodate the revised cylinder head design. The cylinder head changes also required a different valve cover, leading to revised mounting hole locations in the upper section of the timing cover. These differences are unique to VDE-equipped F-150 engines and are not found on Mustang Coyotes.
