Yes it's a pain, but you CAN do it. It all depends on your skills, level of patience and amount of free time. Same as any other job on an old car. I would suggest doing it and then you will have the skills the next time. If you leave it up to a mechanic, it will cost a lot more and you still won't have the experience. I use the same philosophy on nearly any/every car repair. Get in there and get your hands dirty and come back with a real mechanical question.
Charles