I have a buddy that has an '01 5.4 F-150 with the auto. It has 115,000 on it. While his wife was driving it one fine day, it suddenly started to tick like it was way low on oil pressure, no indicator lights. We pulled the plug to lose the oil and put in fresh and to exactly see how much was still in there. The oil had metal shavings in it, but all the oil was still there. it has never leaked, burned, or spewed oil in the past. A backyard mech said it was a spun bearing, but that just doesn't sound right. The shavings is what throws me. Any ideas??????

Dave

 

I would check oil pressure with a real gauge. Could be a bearing let go or possibly a cam lobe or cam follower.

 

What did the filter show? Any metal sludge coming out of it when you drained it? If the shavings are in the pan and you have a tick it may very well be something in the top end. Then if the pump picked up anything it should be stopped by the filter, which may cause the lack of pressure in the top end. I'm unsure of the oil flow path.

-Kerry