[2eyefishclaw]

run a quart of tranny fluid with your oil change 4.5 qts engine oil 1 qt. tranny fluid continue this untill oil pressure comes up and ticking goes away it will work did it with my own I bought it with 273,000miles its now at 286,000 oil pressure is good and no more ticking
if you are pretty good with tools you should be able to replace valve cover gaskets but thats not a big issue like trhester said snug em up
the boot I would definatly take care of as soon as possible if you are planning on getting it muddy or wet its cheaper to change the boot than the entire shaft