To be honest. Just buy a Haynes book for the Escort mk4. Master cylinder is a bolt off, bolt on type job. Involved, but not impossible if you're a relative newbie to this. Just take your time, and don't cross thread anything. Oh and avoid getting brake fluid everywhere. Wear some gloves if you've got any. Bleeding may be harder as you'll need a suitable assitant.

Coolant leak, is just a case of gettting a torch and looking around the engine and hoses when the cars hot. See where its leaking. Though my guess would be heater matrix or Water pump (might need to take the upper belt cover off)

Good Luck, as unlike a lot of people at least you admit you don't know everything.