When you’re on a tight budget you have to be diligent about scouring your local resources, CL, OfferUp, etc. as well as hunting online. I like to build on a budget too, and lately I’ve been looking into 318 ‘torque builds’ that may net ‘only’ 300hp but 450+tq - by raising CR, good intake, carb and exhaust, mild porting and the right cam. That’s the goal anyway...
It may only be good for 5000–5500 RPM, but it’s plenty for a street car and won’t break the bank.