I have a 1997 F-150 with the 4.6L, I have a horrible noise comming from the bottom end of my engine.

A metal thwacking noise, single noise faster with accelerator. Happened on the way home from work, truck started shuddering loss of low end power. changed out spark plugs and wires. Truck has been sitting outside of a few test starts for diagnosis.

Very audible with hood down, very loud under the truck, stethoscope work pinpoints it to the #1 cylinder from the top end the noise is loudest on the exhaust manifold lined up with the sparkplug.

From the oil pan it is lined up pretty well with the sparkplug with the noise level going down very fast moving the stethoscope either towards the front of the engine or the rear.

I need to remove the oil pan to get a look at this, at first glance it almost looks easy so I know I'm missing something.

Anyone have a breakdown of the steps needed for this? I'm thinking if anything screws it up it will be the oil pump.

 

You're Right It Is Easy To Get The Oil Pan Off. Just Watch The Pump