Its just a stock A14 in 1973 ute with a 4spd gearbox. Um.. not much else, .. New starter motor, new radiator and distributor. Any suggestions on where to spend my money would be great.

Oh yeah, I dont wnat to develop the motor too much.. Just nice and revvy and a bit faster acceleration. I dont really know where to start...

My standard A14 revs to 7000 quite happily and I am looking forward to modifying it - they are my favourite A series. If your bottom end is fine - e.g. not blowing oil or piston slapping then I would spend the $1500 on extractors, a decent exhaust, 2x 40mm Weber carbs and manifold and $500 worth of head work(bit of porting and double valve springs and lapping) The only risk then is that if your head was tired beforehand then you may get a little blow by via your rings after - but it's relatively easy and cheap to fix if that happens. I think you'll be very impressed with the way she wakes up after this. And when you have a little more money you can throw a warm cam into it and do a little more head work.

option 2:

offer $1500 for someones done up motor which someone is replacing with a CA18DET or maybe a SR20VE or any other already done up motor at that price

or option 3:

what im thinking is you need to rebuild with a cam for around $1100 (ask for biggest road cam without being a race cam)
then add 32/36 weber for about $250 (including rebuild and rejet of carb)
and also extactors and exhaust for another say $350 (2 inch is best)

which unfortunately is $1700 just over what you want to spend

i really dont think a road car needs twin sidies (in my opion only) as a 32/36 does huge things for the car anyway, and headwork is BIG dollars for SMALL gain, ive heard stories of people doing small amounts of headwork and recording a loss in power because all theve manage to do is fark up the flow pattern

Mate if it was mine Id get a nice street cam
(full race ones semm like a good idea untill your in heavey traffic) about $250 including
lifter regrind (providing you supply the cam).
I paid $110 for dual springs (good to 8grand)
A pair of side suckers with manifold should be about $500 $150 should cover gaskets, paint, oil and otherstuff like that . Oh yeah dont forget to replace the timing chain , about $25 I got a set of big tuned length extractors (coby) for $130 ( mates rates) so pay no more tha $200 (and make sure the clear the steering) That dosent leave much for an exaust but you can do that later. I NEARLEY FORGOT GET YOUR FLY WHEEL LIGHTENED , DUNNO WHAT THAT WOULD COST IVE NEVER HAD TO PAY FOR IT ( HAVE ACCESS TO A LATHE ) DONT GO TOO LIGHT ON A STREET ENGINE OR YOU CANT USE 5TH AROUND TOWN

i dont agree with most of those prices a14force, they are all too cheap

Considering your $$$ are worth more than
our NZ$$$$ I STRUGGLE TO BELIVE how high the prices you guys pay for stuff.
I got my valve springs for $112 from kelfords
my cam grind was $92.25 at mace engine reconditioners (formerly smiths regrinds) the lifter refacing was $45 By the same guys.
my new timing chain was $20.91 from cliff bond ltd . I got my head gasket for $14.45
and all the lower gaskets (conversion set) were $21.70 from BNT NZ ltd . All those prices are GeStapoTax (gst) inclusive, thats just from a few recipts lying around in my room. there are twin sideys in the local trade paper nearly every week for around that $$$ I guess Ive taken for granted how good it is here. (the gaskets and chain were trade but the cam and follers were full price)

I really appreciate the comments guys! thanks your'e filling my head with evil plans

The other thing is, is there a specific order to get this stuff done? (i.e get exhaust then webbers, or webbers then exhaust, or both at the same time?)

I dont want to blow the money all at once, and ill get to savour each mod as it happens...

Shave the head , do the cam and followers
and get the flywheel lightened all with the motor out. then do the flows & carbs, be sure to get flows that match your inlet manifold some flanges dont fit

good luck

basically, its gonna be better to do it all at once, as everytime you change something, theoretically, your carb tunning will need to be changed and stuff, but in practice most people do stuff as they can afford it so it doesnt happen that way anyway