I replace quite a few broken exhaust studs for ticks in them, pull the whole manifold new gasket and copper coat it reinstall with all new grade 8 bolts and tq to spec.

I have heard a couple others with ticks internally that seem to just keep going. Had one where the VCT thingy was making noise, he had me swap the whole engine as the truck had almost 300,000 and the truck (2011) was imaculate, found a whole "low miles" engine for not much more than the dealer wanted for the VCT and chain and guides, gaskets...