On first start of the day 4 cyl sounds like the bottom is falling out. Smooths out within 15 - 30 seconds. The rest of the day starts normal with no rattling sounds. I'm guessing this is from the oil leaking down and not providing enough initial lubrication. Can this be fixed or is it the result of 197,000 miles?

 

One thing you can try if it is oil leaking down is; use a Motorcraft oil filter. It has an anti-back flow valve that helps prevent oil leak down. If you use a Motorcraft oil filter it could be defective or you have another problem like lifter collapse overnight.

 

Welcome to the forum

To test if it is oil leaking out of main passages after sitting a few hours, use Clear Flooded Engine routine for cold starts

Turn key on
Press gas pedal down to the floor and hold it down <<< this tells computer to shut OFF fuel injectors, to "clear a flooded engine"
Crank engine over for 5 seconds or so, holding pedal down, to get oil circulated, engine should NOT start with no fuel coming in
Then release gas pedal and engine should start, and hopefully no noises
(If engine starts, with gas pedal down all the way, then you need to do "Throttle cable mod", google it)

I do this every morning on my high mile 4.0l, just to avoid dry starts

Clear Flooded engine routine is in all fuel injection computers, not a Ford thing
It also good for doing other tests of fuel and spark system