Get a factory service manual and ask questions. Lots of guys on here that can walk you through anything. You can sink your cash into parts instead of labor. I understand not having time, but if you're gonna pay someone to work on it find somebody honest. Better yet, find a local , knowledgable Mopar friend and buy him lots of steak dinners and beer...or work a trade for bodywork! For 5k you should be doing wheelies by now. Is the guy charging you $100 an hour to change some gaskets and maybe notch your valve covers???
Don't get too dicouraged. These things are money pits for sure, but if you are careful they can be a lot of fun!