Maybe I'm quick at it but taking the head off the 270 in my CCKW to replace a head gasket was about an hour start to finish.
The trick to working on old motors is to clean everything before working on it. You got rusted studs? Wire brush them first to get that rust off. IF you have a nut to take off use heat first, then if still stuck try PB Blaster. Heat usually frees up everything. I use MAPP gass... hotter and lasts way longer than propane. You can use acetylene if you are careful.
The only special tool you will need is a valve spring compressor and most auto stores loan them for free.
