Self Learn mechanics?

[goldfire]

Heya everyone,

I'm desperate to learn mechanics, I've always loved it ever since my first real mechanical experiance with my dad pulling apart his XB (i think) Falcon engine and transmission and putting it all back together again.

I really really want to go to TAFE and get one of them Mature Age Apprenticeships in the industry but can't due to the financials (I've heard the wages where utter crap) and i have responsibilites and a current full time job.

So i was wondering, is there a way for me to have my cake and eat it to?, currently i'm trying to fix a good friend of mines car (see here http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=85184 please if you can help)

And truth be told my knowledge is extremely limited to what i learnt from work experiance at MIDAS in adelaide and from what i've learnt from this site (i read pretty much everything and try to learn from it, has saved me some heartache with my AU)

So i was wondering what would you fine ppl do?

Currently i'm scouring google to try and find a diagram/schematic/location of the water pump for an EA falcon so i can remove it cos it's cactus.

Any help you could give i would deeply appreciate as mechanics has always been a real love for me but now i fear i'll never get to get into it like i want to.

Thanks very much in advance and i hope you have a great day.