Have at it young man. My first Y block was in 1990 when I was 17 years old. After that, the rest is history. Now I have several, a few on stands, in a 55 Ford, one on an engine run stand...just turn the key, etc.
When I was your age, I started a resto-mod with my dad on a 56 F100. The header thing was a real problem to try to get dual exhaust. At the time, there was no internet, very few book(s) to locate, and if you didn't "Know" someone you were up a creek without a paddle when it came to parts. Even the resto parts suppliers acted like Know-nothings. You can find a pair of headers for the Y block to help out with your truck... most of the current action is for the 53-56 F100s. Check out a company named Patriot, or Red's Headers. I "think" that Dennnis Carpenter Ford reproductions down in NC might have a few pairs to choose from, and I do know that Sacramento Vintage Ford and Bobs F100 parts probably have something available... check them out.
If money is tight (it was for me at your age), and you want dual exhaust, consider reversing the direction of the drivers side manifold and have a shop bend you a pipe for that side that dumps forward, down, and then out the rear... there may be a photo of that work in an Effie engine bay somewhere in one of our threads. McMaster maybe?
Daniel JessupLancaster, California
aka "The Hot Rod Reverend" 
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com