I don't even know how to begin...

So I went to meet a buddy for a beer this afternoon and neglected to see a sign in the parking lot for Doll Hospital Parking Only (yes, you read that right.) My Bronco was towed and I was not too pleased. I promptly went to the tow lot (which was operating out of the pig pen back yard of a residence in Arvada) to pay 214 dollars to bail out the truck. As I begin to drive home, I notice the engine sounds a little off-- kind of a fast click-click-click-click-click. My oil pressure used to be at about 60 and now it has dropped between 0-10 (when I shut the vehicle off now, it doesn't drop any lower.) I managed to get it home and turn it off to check things out. I am now leaking antifreeze somewhere near the top half of the engine back by the rear passenger side. Their is a little pool of antifreeze on top of the lower intake by #3 fuel injector. I can't really see where it is coming from because their are EFI wires, heater hoses, fuel injectors, etc. in the way.

I am desperately seeking some advice and "expert" opinions. I know--my luck is not holding up too well these days. I am honestly just about to the breaking point.

I will be sitting back pounding while I eagerly wait for your opinions/thoughts/advice/offers to buy this bronco.

With your history with the cam I hate to say you may have cam bearing issues. I'm sure you know the drip of checking the oil & filter for contamination. Pressure testing the cooling system to trace the source of the leak. I hope there's a different reason for the pressure lose. Good Luck will hope for simple solutions.

I was thinking is it possible for your pick up sensor to shift enough to drop the oil pump drive but still be engaged to the cam. I haven't seen one of these how they are machined or if the shaft drive could strip. Haven't seen the set up just a thought.

Just out of curiosity, was it towed on a rollback or a wrecker?

Front tires up. Back tires on the ground.

I hope this is an early April fools joke.

That sucks!!!! You maybe more deserving of my avatar.

Fingers crossed for you bro

Common practice with tow companies I see is to disconnect the driveshaft and tie it up.

A locked Bronco is pretty easy to get into though. Tow companies usually carry tools for that too.

Wow, that's a bad day!

The clicking may have been a noisy top end from the lack of oil pressure. I'd pull the cam sensor first and inspect the gear, roll pin, and pump shaft. If all is good see if you can prime it with your drill. Just don't start it again unless you can get oil pressure.

I find that I always have to re-torque the lower intake bolts after a couple of heat cycles or they will start to leak. You might give it a shot and see if that cures it.

Fingers crossed for an easy fix, you deserve a break.

So I tested the oil pressure by hand and was getting a solid 60 psi.

I pressure tested the coolant system and chased a couple leaks at hose clamps. Tightened down all the hose clamps and don't seem to get any more coolant leak.

However, the engine just doesn't sound right. It's not as smooth as it was before. I either need someone who has more experience in diagnostics to come by and take a listen or I need to take it to someone.

Any takers or advice on a place?

I'd pull the valve covers and give it a good look over. I can probably swing by one night this week if I get off work at a decent time.

What's different in the way you tested oil pressure?

That sounds good. Might have had a loose sender wire or something simple. Got to track down the noise though. Maybe rockers hitting valve covers.

That would be great you deserve a break good luck.

Man, I hope that's your issue. Itd be nice to have an easy fix.

The scratches look more like wire brush marks. The baffle looks like it took some rocker hits though. Might try a felpro 1645 gasket. They're 5/16" thick.

Yah, I've got the blue rubber reusable ones right now which are 3/16. Maybe the extra 1/8 will help clear any issues.

You could also just wack it with a hammer.

Ima say that's definitely rocker contact on those baffles. Those gaskets look nice but they're just too thin for those valve covers.