Early vs. Late dusters

I like your enthusiasm but I disagree with your outlook.
With the parts I have here, I can have it running today.
When I was 20, it could have taken me a year.
You are clearly not aware of how a "learning curve" works. Some learn faster than others.
I learned long ago that when training someone, it can be very insulting to them to hear the experienced person say Oh, that is easy, all you have to do is blah blah....
This is because as they encounter problems, they remember how "easy" it is supposed to be and start to get discouraged as they get confused.
Yes...The '72 could be wrenched back together in fairly short time in the hands of an experienced owner. You think She wants to assume full involvement here at HER place using all of HER tools for this guy?
If not, the kid will be overwhelmed trying to do this on his own with just phone calls for guidance.
WE know a torque sequence.
WE know to clean mating surfaces.
WE know how to gap spark plugs, to bleed brakes and to torque lug nuts to a "star pattern" because we learned all of those things over time.
In time, this kid may surpass any one of us in mechanical ability but now, today, he is just starting out.