mds1870, I was the one that quoted your post and made a reply.
When I drop my pan all that is required is 4 qts. of fluid to bring the level into the cross hatch area half way. I could add another 1/2 of a qt. to bring it up to full but it's not needed.
I have always checked my fluid by driving a few miles, park it, then run it through the gears stopping in each one a couple of seconds. While the engine is running and in park I then check it.
Also, the sales person advised you wrong about Castrol Mercon V being a full synthetic fluid. It is a semi-synthetic fluid.

 

Thanks for the info. Semi synthetic is ok I guess. I'm not going to spend the extra cash for the full. Yeah, I immediately replaced 4 quarts after my drain and wasnt even getting a reading on the stick; bone dry. Started the vehicle and went through gears and still bone dry. Had to add that 5th quart. Go figure. Maybe next time it will be different.

 

i have the same truck from the same year with the same problem except i live where its hot and still hear this rattle. the rattle comes from the metal arm (with a loop at the top) that lifts the engine out of the truck. it is on both sides of the engine and it goes around one of the exhaust manifolds. did the oil filter fix this problem or do you think some sticky lifter cleaner run through the oil could do the job, like motormedic or bardahl flush. i also am going to try motorkote, looks like good stuff.

 

That is what would be rattling. any idea why and how to fix it would be great. i changed the oil filter to motorcraft fl-400s and still have this problem. changed my oil three times every time i dumped it it was dirty. might do it again in a month

 

Use a pan to catch what leaks put it back in.

 

My moms mini van had the same rattle issue and I got under it one day as she started it and found a ring just forward of the flex pipe on the exhaust was loose and would rattle until the pipe heated up and expanded enough to hold the ring tight. Just a thought

 

I wouldn't pour dirty oil back in the engine. Use clean oil.

Remove it. You don't need it. That was used to install the engine. To lift the engine out......well a chain wrapped around the engine does just fine. But save the part. It could always bolt back on.