I used to cruise up and down in a white Fiesta, then later in a Mk3 Fiesta SI with RS side skirts and arches! Good old XR2 and RS Fiestas, was the sound track to my early driving days.
Trust me, I thought that about those guides at first, but if you get out there and just take your time, you'll come to realise that this whole impression that modern engines are harder to work on isn't true. Yes, there's more bits attached, but a few bolts later and it's all off. Best way to learn is to get out there, take it apart, put it back together. If it runs, you know what you're doing, if it doesn't, re-try until it runs.