I would suggest that the "FE" is only problematic if you need to go internal. I have seen lots of issues with people putting the rocker pedestals in and not knowing that one bolt is undercut as the
oil feed is via the space created there.
As to tuning, timing, etc. the FE is really no different than any other late 50's engine and in fact is simpler than say a MEL 430 as there is no combination
oil pump/vacuum pump, etc. that the MEL series had.