Glad to hear “progress” I recently changed my “short” OCI of MMO in the crankcase on my 88 Aries....first changed, oil was extremely dark, this past change (only 1.5k on the PYB 5W30) the shop tech told me the oil seemed very “thin” between his fingers, but was extremely dirty...next OCI I’m gonna grab a sample.

I’m hoping only the MMO thinned it out, and it’s not fuel or water in the crankcase.

As I mentioned, it could have been the heavier 10W-30 weight oil caused the ticking sound due to lack of lubricity on cold start.

I believe MMO is equivalent to a 5 weight oil....if I recall correctly....so you should still be within spec.

Just keep an eye on your oil level every (or every other) fill up to see how the oil level is doing.

I know the first dose of MMO I added, after about 1000 miles, my oil level seemed to “drop” - topped it off with 1/2 quart of motor oil, and drove it til 2k or so.  My mechanic didn’t mention anything about any signs of leakage either, kinda strange, like it “consumed” the MMO or something lol....

I used amsoil 0-30 before and still had ticking, I have used 10-30 as well.
I will make sure to check the level thanks!

Not to sound like I know it all,(to which my wife would argue with you),
but to go from 10W-30 to 5W-30...You have reduced the oils weight by
half. If you had valves that were having a problem working at the
heavier 10W, they have now been allowed to move more freely in
the 5W. The Thing I would look at during this time of trial is Your
engine temp. and see if you have lowered the running temps by
allowing the moving parts on the engine to work more freely.
Or if the temps are rising due to the fact that the oil is too thin
to be a good conductor of heat transfer… the second reason
for having oil in a water cooled engine.

Just my 2cts.

my 5.4 used to rattle like crazy at start up
i changed to 5/30 RP with a K&N;filter (pn 2010 same as app)
the ticking and rattles stopped
at the end of the oci i dumped half a qt of trans fluid in and ran it 30 mins before changing
im now back at 5/20 oil conventional and it has been quiet every since.
you might give it a shot

my wifes car is an 04 explorer with the 4.0
it has had pennz 5/30 and 3j ocis all of its life
with over 110k on it now it is clean as new inside and no rattles
we have had good luck with the ford v6 i think its a well built engine