94 F150 4x4 with 302 engine 212K miles
I noticed a ticking noise coming from the top of my engine and then noticed my oil preasure gauge was at zero. My plan is, starting with least expense and effort:
1. change oil & filter and hope the filter was pluged
2. unbolt the oil pan and see if the oil pickup is gunked up
3. pay someone to change the oil pump as I understand it is very diffculte to do with out raising the engine.

Any comments or advice? I've only driven this truck 1 or twice in the last 4 months but didn't have any problems last Nov/Dec when I was driving it several times a week.

 

or just change the oil pressure sending unit first

 

agreed with built... i had a problem where it was saying my oil pressure was really low so I changed the oil pressure gauge (about 10 mins of work if you know what you're doing) drain oil, take old one out put new one in, fill back up with your oil. And that fixed my problem.

 

I would change the oil and filter, and use the recommended weight of oil and a quality filter such as a Motorcraft that has a good anti-drainback valve.

 

The main issue here is that you said the engine started to tick at the time the oil pressure dropped. That means that the top of the engine is not getting any oil. I suspect that the oil pump screen is clogged up. Oil pumps only go bad if they physically lock up. Oil pumps just provide flow of oil. The bearings create the oil pressure. Drop the pan and check the screen. This way you can change the oil at the same time. And you don't have to lift the engine. The screen can be removed with the pan just dropped down.