Advice welcome: 69 Fairlane on the cheap?

I don't even know if it's possible, but I'll try to sum up my intentions.
First off, this was my first car. I got back in high school and we all know the sentimental value a car can hold. Well she's in my garage now and she just needs some TLC. She currently has the original 351 Windsor and 2 barrel intake. My senior year of high school I rebuilt a 2 barrel carb (I believe it's an Autolite) and it ran pretty good, though it always had some hesitation. After sitting for a few years it's now back in need of rescue.

I would like to get this to be reliable for Sunday drives and I'd like to do this on a budget.

I'm wondering what your experience would tell you to do? I've thought about taking off the 2 barrel intake and cleaning it up and then just replacing with a new 2 barrel carb. I figure this would be easier on the wallet than swapping in a new 4 barrel intake and carb. What do you think?

What would be a good 2 barrel carb for this engine?
Any information or advice is appreciated. Thanks folks.

You can rebuild it or you can replace it... It's cheaper to rebuild. Carbs like to run about $280-$400 lately as they haven't been put on a car since the 1980's

So I take it you're recommending to replace with a 4 barrel intake and carb? Or are you saying that a 2 barrel replacement carb could be bought?

Thanks for the info. What would you do?

It really depends on your intent. You want performance or mainly economy?

A properly setup 2bbl in your car should easily get 20+ MPG

If its performance your after then its a no brainer, go for the 4bbl and intake.
Hope that helps.

The Ford carbs are similar to Holleys and easy to rebuild. You could buy a new Holley 2 barrel that would bolt on but they are probably more than their budget 4 barrels. Try and rebuild it. If you start using it again then spend some money if you want more.