Is there any evidence of lack of oil going to that rocker? What lift is the cam, has the lobe been measured to confirm?

Yes, had the engine running in my Galaxie since 2018. It drives great, is very streetable and pulls strong to 7000+ rpm.

 Unfortunately, earlier this year one of the needle roller bearings in an original rocker arm decided to disintegrate and send shrapnel through the engine. It took out one of the camshaft lobes and a couple of rod bearings. So the engine is apart at the moment for a thorough cleaning while I wait for a new camshaft.

I don’t have any driving videos, just this short clip: https://youtu.be/FIngI5tSxa8?si=4EIc5-BBEzweE46H

Happy Festivus...

I always look forward to the feats of strength..

I think 600hp range could give you everything you wanted.

I agree.

I’m running an iron head cammer in my 63 Galaxie. The engine has been detuned somewhat from factory specs, has 10.3 to 1 compression, has a 4” stroke to give 452 cubes, and a pair of Comp street cams supplied by Jay. With a pair of 780 Holleys it idles at around 850 rpm, doesn’t over heat in traffic in hot Australian summers, and makes over 600hp. When I floor the throttle in 1st, 2nd or 3rd, it just smokes the tires, and in 4th (Toploader) it just rockets to way past the legal speed limit. I haven’t had it down the 1/4 mile, but it feels like a low 11 second car, not bad for a 4300lb barge.

The point I’m trying to make is, unless you are regularly racing your car, 600hp is more than enough for any street car. Sure, it’s your car and you can build what you like. But on the street, you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between a 600hp and 800hp car. Just my 2c, please take no offence. I actually commend you for delving into the world of cammers.

You can make 500+hp with a 406 6V set up, with a bit of work. Here’s a link to the engine I built for my 63 Galaxie. It made just over 540hp, while looking stock.

http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=1498.0

A question for those who have used Pond SOHC heads, what spark plugs did you use? I’m assembling a pair now, and tested the spark plugs I used in my Ford iron heads, but they sit about 0.200” deep in the plug holes, measured from the chamber side. And that is without the copper spark plug tubes installed.

I’m in the same boat as you Cleandan. I’m an ex Australian Air Force pilot, my first posting was flying C47’s.  When I was taxiing them around the airfield, I used to get a kick out of give the throttle an occasional blip. At night, I could get a nice blue flame out the exhaust. I still love the sound of a big radial.