i want to learn all about the internals of engines, and i am starting by doing what i think is best...reading books on it. my only family members that are mechanics dont have the time to teach me everything, so I have to rely on myself-but I could go to them for a quick question.

is buying an old car and taking it apart to learn about them an awful idea? in theory it would seem possible, but how much tools would I need to disassemble the motor? I have a friend with everything I would need but I cant exactly borrow it for weeks, so what tools would I need to use constantly that i would have to buy and what tools would I need say once, (that I could borrow from a friend)
i fear that with this type of project I would be in over my head, but do you think there is a specific car that is older and easy to idenitify parts and disassemble? I think taking lots of pictures and having a manual would be useful, but where should I start?

thanks in advance just simply putting me in the right direction would be great.