2007 F-150 5.4L and has horrible cam phaser noise. When the truck gets to operating temps and I am idling, or driving 25mps or slower, the motor will shake and have a loud ticking/slapping sound. I did have some metal shavings in my oil. Are they to far gone or could I get away with a thicker oil/additive? I noticed it happens a lot when I have to drive around town and have to be on and off the gas at a slow pace.

 

The longer you drive it , the more expensive it is going to get to repair it.
The truck is 10 years old and depending on it's condition will determine just how much you will want to put into it. It will need chains ,tensioners, guides, phasers etc. the whole works.
there is probably a lot of plastic/nylon in the oil pan already and the oil pump coud be on the list. It's not a bad job, depending on who does it, but you will need to review mileage , condition and finances to do it right.

 

Its not a bad truck. I just bought it 6 months ago or so. And now have 182k on it. What do you normally replace when you do it? I have a buddy who was a tech for a long time and said hed do it for $30 an hour.. So labor won't be bad.

 

You know there will be just about everything mentioned above plus the unforseen,but when done it should be good for a while. A lot will depend on how well it was maintained and if the proper oil was used.