Add a Tee and plumb in a mechanical oil pressure gage, and see what it reads.
Yup that's next on my agenda - just need to get around to caring again and find the time. Time for the foreseeable future is going into the Excursion, 2 door and the house, hope to dig into it maybe late Spring.
Did you hear the valvetrain ticking?
Sure, but like, valvetrain always ticks a bit on both of my 5.7s. No abnormal or extra ticking compared to before the pump/trans work, or compared to the 2dr. Other than the gauge complaining about 2PSI of pressure I find no noticeable difference in sound (other than the prior sound now being gone, which was the point of this all) or power or drive-ability. Only thing I've noticed is the gauge reading mad low causing the light to kick on.