Sandy,
They are quite easy, I have one, here's what the owners manual says:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]416285[/ATTACH]
Also the hand wheel rotates away from you as you sew.
Here's the page on threading the bobbin case:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]416287[/ATTACH]
As far as I'm concerned this machine and the other White made machines of this era are as good if not better than some of the Singers of the same vintage. Oil is their friend, Tri-Flow is best. Make sure the drive wheel rubber part is smooth and not flat spotted.
Hope this helps some.
Joe