I have a ticking sound and I am betting it is a cracked exhaust manifold. Has anyone used headers on this engine and will they require new exhaust to hook up? Any troubles using the headers? I was leaning towards just getting a new manifold but one is nearly the cost of a set of headers. How much louder are the headers? I will be using a stock muffler.

Had this truck for 11 years with no problems at all. I love this truck. It is showing its age now but still doing great at 180K miles

Thanks