Can I tackle valve seals?

[phlegm]

Watching youtube vids it appears to be a slow methodical process, reading up it seems the rope method is the safest way to keep me from doing a top end rebuild

So anyway, I have an original 350 66k miles, blowing some smoke and oil out exhaust. it stops when its warm, I am thinking seals to get me through for a while and eventually I will have to tackle the top end. I have read through the threads and it looks like some people just change O rings at the top and some do that and the guides, why would I not do both? It looks like its just another $16.00. Also I see 2 kinds of tools, one is the crank tool the other is a prybar. Which is easier for these trucks? I have an AC Cab and just put a booster on.

Finally, given I am 3 shades away from being a shadetree mech. scale of 1-10 how hard is this?