No to stir the pot, nor trying to discount the complaints.
However all OHC engines have some form of a tick. Some are due to lower viscosity oil or extended oil changes some are due to manufacturing tolerances.
I can say this, the 3v sounds like a freaking sewing machine. The 5.0 ticks when cold, almost every 5.0 has some tick when cold, at least every one that I listened to. The oil we use is basically water, good thing there are 8 quarts of it.
Another thing I have to say about these engine noises is that most owners take it very easy on the engine the first few k miles. This is wrong, increase load on the thing with every mile that passes, if you have not done a few high load high stress runs by 500miles your signing yourself up for a very very long break in period. As a testament, my 3v I took it way too easy on it. The engine did not feel broken in until about 12-14k miles. The 5.0 I was putting more and more load on it from the day I got it. By 500miles I was doing wot runs and allowing cool off time between runs. by comparison it consumes less fuel than 3v on average and feels strong through the rev range as it should.
If you guys think ticking is a big concern, your reading too many bad experiences, no use going nuts over them. If you want to hear tick, try listening to bmw I6 engines. Couple tolerances that are slack + thick oil + extended maintenance intervals. Those things sometimes sound like tractor engines. Get over it and enjoy your vehicle. If it breaks send it back and get it fixed on fords dime. If its a real issue it will show itself before the 60k drivetrain warranty is up, otherwise enjoy it for the next 200k+ miles.
