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While doing my upholstery it wasn't the ring pliers as much as the constant pulling, stretching and tucking that played havoc on my arthritis.

Welcome to the site. Before converting to EFI you might try a basic tune up? Plugs, points and condenser or an oil and filter change? Get the Ford Shop Manuals for your car. Start learning the names of parts and their functions. Then try asking a few questions? See how it goes. Brian

Unfortunately, I found very few classics in my club, and even fewer people who actually work on their cars. I find that frustrating, because I like working on things, and talking to like minded people. If you don't have some natural mechanical ability, it will be very difficult. I have one son that doesn't know one end of a screwdriver from the other, but his younger brother will attempt anything. I figure I could do anything, but there are some things I just don't want to do. For instance, I think hog ring pliers would make my arthritis act-up, so unless I can fashion a pair with long handles, I'm not going to attempt upholstery. You will learn techniques as you go along, just by trial and error. You may need to do it over one or more times, but so what? You'll probably do it better than most shops- and believe me that is very true. Only one in four professionals are competent at what they do. With help and guidance from a group of guys like we have here, you will get it done. These are are fairly simple machines, and its not rocket science. Much of it is unbolting one part and bolting on another. I had never welded until recently, so I bought a welder and through the use of videos, I practiced (and practiced) (and practiced), and finally built a ramp to get one of my cars in the garage (its one of those plastic cars that we don't like to mention on this forum). The car is too low and the driveway too steep, but now I can drive it right in. If you think you can't do something, you're right. If you adopt an attitude that anything you mess-up can be fixed, it makes a world of difference. Just remember that nothing that anyone does is perfect. I tend to be a perfectionist and constantly have to remind myself when something is good enough.

I was like you 8 years ago when I bought my 70 Torino. I knew nothing and did not grow up around other guys who worked on their cars. No one in my family worked on cars when growing up. None of my current friends worked on cars. Even with those disadvantages I learned how to restore my car. I learned everything by obsessively stalking the forums and watching thousands of videos. I did it on my own. By myself. You said you want to learn by doing. You are right. That is the only way. When most of these guys started working on cars they were just teenagers working on their car in the driveway and even at the curb. You just have to start with something small. Figure it out and build your knowledge little by little. Unfortunately, it is very unlikely someone in a car club is going to take you under their wing and help you with your project. They probably have their own project they need to work on. I would just keep watching the videos and doing the research. Good luck.