You may not like wiring etc but if you are going to run an old car you are going to need to learn to do it. Get a multimeter for sure to test for ground faults etc (though a test light will solve most). Loose wires/nuts that hold them onto the ignition switch will cause many of the problems you spoke of. I don't use the original ign sw as I have no patience for it, badly designed, use a $12 universal ignition switch. You can keep the old switch, just put it in the on position and use it only for coil, tuck it away and run hots to it from your new switch (providng the switch is still somewhat functional)....Study some basic automotive wiring diagrams to learn what is what/what goes where etc..
Re the clutch, check fluid in clutch master, if it is full, probably need new seals in CM . If it is empty new seal in the clutch slave.....If i was you I would do the master and slave together, should give you piece of mind for 10-20 years or so. It could be something else with the clutch, but start there, reverse is the shortest gear so suffers first from shortened clutch throw.