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Albuq,
I didn't mean flatheads in particular. Most "high horse power" engines are rated at super high speeds. The formula for horsepower is something like "torque x rpm" off the top of my head. So "horsepower " can be gained or implied by the math by more rpm.
Albuq
Looking closer at that torque curve that is about perfect for what I have in mind. A T5 with the 3.73 should turn around 220, just above peak torque. Very driveable.
With a T5, you can downshift to 4th, not an option with the stock 3-sp. I have 3.50 gears that puts me around 2500 RPM at 60, I am able to climb any but the steepest, longest hills and maintain speed, at my higher altitude (big hit on power). Not much flat land around here.
The stock Load a Matic distributor has no mechanical advance. Just vacuum and it is designed to work specifically with the vacuum signal of the stock carb. It will not work properly with manifold vacuum or ported vacuum from another carb. Changing the cam even affects it.
There's a couple guys on Ford Barn that modify Chevy distributors that drop right in and have the advance curve set. You have choices of vintage point, dual point, electronic conversions or even HEI. I modified an Accel dual point for a Chevy and a Mallory. At least they look Ford like. The distributor upgrade is a must in my opinion unless you just have to stay original. Go for one with a vacuum advance as well. Better cruise fuel economy.
Scotty, that is good stuff to hear about the distributor. I took off the Ford one. It was hooked to the carb with steel lines, looked ike it belonged. In the box of extra parts is another carb. It has larger throats by far. With updates to the engine, I probably will use the larger one. It doesn't have the same vacuum ports as the original. Saved me a lot of trouble and bucks.
It looks like abe steered you in the right direction for a good engine builder. That seems like a good price.
Setting the timing on the distributors modified with a Chevy top is no fun. It is hard to get a wrench on the hold down bolt. The Pertronix solid state replacement for points and condenser along with their matching Flamethrower coil works great. They have them on Amazon.