LA 318 w/ roller lifters&cam - Waste Of Time?

How about just finding a 340 motor, and running it stock until you can afford to put new intake and carb on.
340 make around 275hp even tired ones, which is a lot more than your 318 with basic modifications can do.
Taking a 318 out even to 60tho over, with flat top forged pistons and a bigger cam won't see a stock 340 figure.
Over here though 340's are rare rare rare, don't know how easy they are in the states.
360's pahhh....all noise.
Oh and remember, if you do go 60 over, if it goes tits up, you got no more in their so keep a spare block.