Ford Mustang Fuel Injector Installation Instructions
Date Created: 8/11/2022
Last Updated: 11/2/2022
Replace or upgrade your stock Mustang fuel injectors with Late Model Restoration Supply injector swap guide!
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How To Remove Mustang Injectors
Replace or upgrade your stock Mustang fuel injectors with a set of new fuel injectors from Late Model Restoration Supply. Below you will find instructions for almost all V8-powered fuel-injected Mustangs from 1986-current.
Jump To:
86-95 5.0L |
96-04 4.6L SOHC |
96-98 4.6L DOHC |
99-04 4.6 DOHC (Non-SC) |
05-10 4.6L 3V |
11-22 5.0L |
1986-1995 5.0L
Jump To Engines:
96-04 4.6L SOHC |
96-98 4.6L DOHC |
99-04 4.6 DOHC (Non-SC) |
05-10 4.6L 3V |
11-22 5.0L |
- Disconnect the battery ground cable and secure it out of the way.
- Remove the fuel cap.
- Remove the intake tube from the throttle body. This may vary depending on if you running a stock intake, cold air intake, or any other type of piping.
- Release pressure from fuel system. This can be done by using a rag to cover the Schrader valve and push the valve in with a screwdriver to relieve to fuel line pressure.
- Disconnect the fuel supply line and fuel return line with the proper fuel line removal tools.
- Remove the upper intake manifold vacuum hoses, IAC electrical connection, PCV throttle cable/TV cable bracket, salt and pepper shaker bracket, and ERG coolant hoses (if equipped). Check out our 86-93 Upper Intake Manifold removal article for detailed instructions and a video on the removal of the upper intake manifold. It is always best to cover the ports with masking tape or stuff the intake ports to prevent foreign objects from entering the intake manifold.
- Release pressure from fuel system. This can be done by using a rag to cover the Schrader valve and push the valve in with a screwdriver to relieve to fuel line pressure.
- Unplug the injector connections from each injector and tuck away from the fuel rail.
- Remove the four fuel rail retaining bolts and set them aside.
- Carefully lift up on the fuel rail the remove the fuel rail. This will allow you to remove the old injectors from the rail and lower intake manifold.
- Lube the new injector o-rings with some oil and install the injectors to the lower manifold.
- Carefully reinstall the fuel rail to the pre-oiled injector o-rings.
- Tighten the four fuel rail bolts, and install the upper intake in the reverse of removal. Make sure to reattach all hoses, connections, and sensors.
- Install the intake tube to the throttle body, close the fuel cap, and reattach the negative battery cable.
1996-2004 4.6L SOHC
Jump To Engines:
86-95 5.0L |
96-98 4.6L DOHC |
99-04 4.6 DOHC (Non-SC) |
05-10 4.6L 3V |
11-22 5.0L |
- Disconnect the battery ground cable and secure it out of the way.
- Remove the fuel cap.
- Remove the intake tube from the throttle body. This may vary depending on if you running a stock intake, cold air intake, or any other type of piping.
- Release pressure from fuel system. This can be done by using a rag to cover the Schrader valve and push the valve in with a screwdriver to relieve to fuel line pressure.
- Disconnect the fuel supply line and fuel return line (96-98) with the proper fuel line removal tools.
- Remove the idle air control (IAC) hose and position it out of the way.

- Remove the PCV hose from the passenger side PCV and upper plenum.

- Remove the idle air control (IAC) electrical connection and main vacuum hoses connection.

- Remove the vacuum hose from the back of the throttle body plenum.

- Remove the throttle cable and cruise control cable from the bracket.

- Disconnect the fuel pressure sensor electrical connector (99-04 only) and vacuum hose.

- Disconnect the electrical ground wire from the fuel rail by pulling up.

- Disconnect the exhaust vacuum regulator solenoid vacuum lines.

- Remove the bolts from the EGR pressure transducer bracket and position aside.

- Disconnect the exhaust valve recirculation (EGR) vacuum hose.

- Disconnect the driver and passenger side fuel injector electrical connectors.


- Remove the 4 fuel rail retaining bolts from the fuel rail.

- Wiggle and pull up on the fuel rail to disengage the fuel injectors from the lower intake manifold.
- When reinstalling the new injectors, you will need to lube the injectors with clean engine oil or similar o-ring lube.
- Install fuel rail and components in the reverse removal order.
1996-1998 4.6L DOHC
Jump To Engines:
86-95 5.0L |
96-04 4.6L SOHC |
99-04 4.6L DOHC (Non-SC) |
05-10 4.6L 3V |
11-22 5.0L |
- Disconnect the battery ground cable and secure it out of the way.
- Remove the fuel cap.
- Remove strut tower brace (if equipped)
- Remove the intake tube from the throttle body. This may vary depending on if you running a stock intake, cold air intake, or any other type of piping.
- Disconnect the throttle cable and cruise control cable from the throttle body.
- Remove the throttle cable and cruise cable bracket from the intake manifold.
- Disconnect the throttle position sensor (TPS) electrical connection.

- Disconnect and remove the idle air control valve inlet tube from the intake manifold lid. Disconnect and remove the PCV valve and crankcase ventilation hose from the driver-side intake manifold lid and valve cover.

- Disconnect the idle air control valve (IAC) electrical connection.
- Disconnect the two vacuum hoses on the passenger side behind the throttle body at the back of the intake lid.

- Remove the vacuum hoses and electrical connection from the EGR solenoid

- Remove the two bolts that retain the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve to the upper intake lid. Use caution to prevent damage to the gasket.

- Remove the two hoses and electrical connection from the EGR pressure feedback sensor. This is located at the back of the driver's side of the intake lid.
- Remove the seven lid to intake manifold retaining bolts. When removing the lid, inspect the gasket for damage and replace if needed.
- Release pressure from the fuel system. This can be done by using a rag to cover the Schrader valve and pushing the valve in with a screwdriver to relieve to fuel line pressure.
- Disconnect the fuel supply and return line with the proper fuel line removal tools.
- Remove the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose.
- Disconnect the eight fuel injector electrical connections.
- Remove the four fuel rail bolts.
- Wiggle and pull up on the fuel rail to disengage the fuel injectors from the lower intake manifold.
- When reinstalling the new injectors, you will need to lube the injectors with clean engine oil or similar o-ring lube. Make sure to reinstall injector clips and reverse the removal process for the installation.
- When tightening the upper lid to the lower intake manifold, use the following torque specs of 71-106 lb-in and sequence below:

- Reinstall all removed parts in reverse order.
1999-2004 4.6L DOHC (Non-Supercharged)
Jump To Engines:
86-95 5.0L |
96-04 4.6L SOHC |
96-98 4.6L DOHC |
05-10 4.6L 3V |
11-22 5.0L |
- Disconnect the battery ground cable and secure it out of the way.
- Remove the fuel cap.
- Remove the intake tube from the throttle body. This may vary depending on if you running a stock intake, cold air intake, or any other type of piping.
- Disconnect the throttle cable and cruise control cable from the throttle body. Then disconnect the accelerator cable, the speed control actuator cable, and the return spring.

- Disconnect the throttle position sensor (TPS) electrical connection.

- Disconnect the evaporative emission (EVAP) return hoses on the back of the upper lid above the fuel rail connection point.

- Disconnect the idle air control valve (IAC) and EGR pressure feedback sensor electrical connection.

- Disconnect the main vacuum supply line and EGR valve vacuum line.

- Disconnect the two EGR pressure feedback sensor vacuum hoses.

- Disconnect the EGR valve to the exhaust manifold tube from the EGR valve.

- Disconnect the electrical connection and vacuum lines from the EGR vacuum regulator solenoid.

- Remove the PCV valve and tube assembly from the driver-side valve cover.

- Remove the seven upper intake lid bolts.

- Inspect and replace the upper lid gasket if damaged.
- Release pressure from the fuel system. This can be done by using a rag to cover the Schrader valve and pushing the valve in with a screwdriver to relieve to fuel line pressure.
- Disconnect the fuel supply line with the proper fuel line removal tools.
- Disconnect the fuel pressure sensor electrical connection and vacuum hose.

- Disconnect the eight fuel injector electrical connections.


- Remove the four fuel rail bolts.

- Wiggle and pull up on the fuel rail to disengage the fuel injectors from the lower intake manifold.
- Most 99-04 injectors will have an injector retaining clip that will hold the injector to the fuel rail. You will remove the clips and then pull the injectors out of the fuel rails.
- When reinstalling the new injectors, you will need to lube the injectors with clean engine oil or similar o-ring lube. Make sure to reinstall injector clips and reverse the removal process for the installation.
- When tightening the upper lid to the lower intake manifold, use the following torque specs and sequence below:

2005-2010 4.6L SOHC 3V
Jump To Engines:
86-95 5.0L |
96-04 4.6L SOHC |
96-98 4.6L DOHC |
99-04 4.6L DOHC (Non-SC) |
11-22 5.0L |
- Disconnect the battery ground cable and secure it out of the way.
- Remove the fuel cap.
- Detach the two wiring harness retainers from the fuel rail stud bolts and position the harness aside.
- Wrap a towel around the fuel supply line. Use the proper fuel line disconnect tools to disconnect the fuel supply tube spring lock coupling. There will be pressure on the system, so you must use caution when removing this line. Fuel can spray out of the lines.
- Disconnect the fuel rail pressure and temperature sensor electrical connector labeled (1) and vacuum hose labeled (2) on the photo below.

- Disconnect the eight fuel injector electrical connectors.
- Remove the four fuel rail stud bolts. These are labeled (2) on the photo below

- Wiggle and pull up on the fuel rail to disengage the fuel injectors from the lower intake manifold.
- 2005-2010 injectors will have an injector retaining clip that will hold the injector to the fuel rail. You will remove the clips and then pull the injectors out of the fuel rails.
- When reinstalling the new injectors, you will need to lube the injectors with clean engine oil or similar o-ring lube. Make sure to reinstall injector clips.
- Reinstall all removed parts in reverse order.
2011-Current 5.0L Gen 1, 2, and 3 Coyote
Jump To Engines:
86-95 5.0L |
96-04 4.6L SOHC |
96-98 4.6L DOHC |
99-04 4.6L DOHC (Non-SC) |
05-10 4.6L 3V |
- Disconnect the battery ground cable and secure it out of the way.
- Remove the fuel cap.
- Remove the strut tower bar if equipped)
- Remove any intake manifold covers on the engine. 2011-2014 Gen 1 and 2015-2017 Gen 2 will be removed by pulling up on the cover to disengage the cover. 2015-Current will have to remove the two bolts under the cover caps. See out How To Remove 2018-current Mustang GT Engine Cover.
- Move the heater hose that sits over the fuel rails by moving them out of the way. If you can not move them enough, you can disconnect the hoses by depressing the retainer tabs and pulling up on the heater hoses.
- Remove the four nuts for the heater hose plastic guides. These are labeled (4) and (9) on the image below. Remove the metal vacuum hose labeled (3) from the fuel rail stud. This may require removing the hose from the intake tube on the 2015-current or the intake manifold on 2011-2014. These are the plastic guides sitting under the radiator hoses are labeled (8) in the photo below. Once you remove the nuts, remove the guides and set them aside.

- Wrap a towel around the fuel supply line. Disconnect the fuel rail supply line by pressing on the connection and pulling away from the fuel rail. There will be pressure on the system, so you must use caution when removing this line. Fuel can spray out of the lines. 2018+ Gen 3 coyote engines will need to remove the high-pressure fuel pump supply line on the passenger side high-pressure fuel pump.
- Remove the fuel rail foam covers labeled (3) on the image below by pulling up on them to remove them. Use caution not to tear them when removing them. Remove the four fuel rail retaining bolts labeled (2) on the image below.

- Wiggle and pull up on the fuel rail to disengage the fuel injectors from the lower intake manifold.
- 2011+ injectors will have an injector retaining clip that will hold the injector to the fuel rail. You will remove the clips and then pull the injectors out of the fuel rails.
- When reinstalling the new injectors, you will need to lube the injectors with clean engine oil or similar o-ring lube. Make sure to reinstall injector clips.
- Reinstall all removed parts in reverse order.
Shop Mustang Fuel Injectors
About the Author
Neal has owned a 1996 3.8L, 2003 3.8L (Cobra Swapped), 2003 GT, 1998 3.8L (4.6L SOHC Swapped), 1990 GT Hatchback, 1990 GT Convertible, 2006 GT Single Turbo, and 2011 Twin Turbo/Cammed GT.
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