When my father died 25 years ago his 78 collection looked Mouthwatering . There was Toscanini conducting Ravels Bolero, Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra accompanying Rachmaninov in his Piano Concertos, and many others. My Garrard tt had a 78 rpm setting and I picked up a separate tonearm fitted with a mono cart from a reputable dealer. I tried cleaning the 78s-the dealer had a Keith Monks machine and charged by the record—but the roar of the surface noise rendered them unlistenable . I have subsequently acquired digital restorations of these recordings, and many others, as well as attempting to make a few myself with some of the software availabie for this. The professional restorations are nothing short of miraculous, with the enjoyment of listening to legendary recordings without the feel of sonic compromise.
I wish the OP well, and I hope his father kept his collection in better condition that my father kept his, but if his main goal is the end product-a well restored recording to be enjoyed with a minimum of distraction-it’s amazing what current restoration technology can achieve