If it is the EGR, it’s a complete PITA job.
Been a few years since I last done one, but IIRC it’s about a 3-4hour job, as it shares bolts with the exhaust manifold/turbo, and involves dropping the exhaust/cat to get access.
Don’t try unbolting the EGR valve from the inlet manifold, as it won’t go back together and work properly (I never personally tried, but it was one of the first things the ford parts guy said, so I suspect they’d obviously seen somebody try it).
Are you sure it is the EGR though. They were prone for the throttle valve actuator (part of the inlet manifold!) wearing/falling of which would lead to lots of smoke and failing to rev above a couple thousand. Cable tie would solve that problem though.
One way to rule out the EGR would be to unbolt the flexipipe from the cooler onto the inlet manifold, and see if the smoke clears.