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Identifying Ford 4.6L Engine Front Covers

I know that it seems like we keep beating a dead horse but the 4.6L SOHC Ford just keeps rearing its ugly head. It's causing more inquiries than most and it is time to update and clarify some of the front covers used on the newer versions of this engine.

By Roy Berndt
The first cover we'll discuss is used on the 2001-2004 Van, 2002 Expedition and 2002-2004 Ford F-150. It is Ford p/n 2L3Z-6019-AA. Before I mention the cover, I must remind you that 2004 was a transitional year for Ford, and the 2004 F-150 is the Heritage body style. You need to pay attention to that or you will end up with a piece of coal in your stocking.

The cover used is casting numbers 1L2E and 2L3E-AB - and you need to make certain that you pay attention to the AB for there is a 5.4L cover with the same prefix numbers (see Figure 1). This cover appears identical to its predecessor, the F65E, however the mounting bosses for the pulley and tensioner assemblies are .750" tall rather than .900". These applications use the six-rib accessory drive serpentine belt and the taller bosses were for a nine-rib belt. It's easy just to remember that .900" is for the nine-rib belt and the shorter is for the smaller number - at least for my simple mind it works that way!

The next cover is casting number 3L3E. Ford p/n 3L3Z-6019-AA is used on the 2004-2005 F-150 new body style truck and the 2003-2004 Expedition, but only with the cast iron block casting. The biggest change here is that these applications are using the high power steering mount on the left side of the engine. The power steering pump was changed because it was nearly impossible to get the oil filter out from under the pump and between the chassis frame. While I'm certain there was an elaborate engineering explanation at Ford for the change, we simple minded folk know the real reason: the right hand and left hand were not communicating! This cover also has some additional idler mounting boss changes, but the high-mount pump mount is your giveaway (see Figure 2).

Last, there is cover casting numbers 2L1E-DE and 2L2E-AD. Ford p/n 2L2Z-6019-AA has both casting numbers on the upper right side of the cover. Why it carries both numbers I was not able to determine, but does it really matter? This cover is virtually identical to the 3L3E except that the first bolt off the bottom of the "V" of the cover on the right side moved .250" and is used for the aluminum block in the 2003-2004 Expedition and 2002-2004 Explorer applications (see Figure 3).