KobraKarl- You've got it right. I don't know the whys though. What I do know is that 1956 someone in Ford engineering O.K.'d that design. I use it as a example to show folks there really is other ways to do things and they sometimes work.
Aumoore- The cammer FE was of a very ill design with way more problems than I care to get into here in this thread. The "shotgun" is another story all together but belongs in the 385 engine section. It, along with the 426 Hemi is a victim of change in racing engine thinking. That to, is the subject of another thread.
I know, I'm a old Hemi guy and I hate it.
As for droping two seconds in a ET, 300 horsepower in a 2500 lbs car that hooks up will get you to the very low 11's. The shotguns power was made on the big end and was useless unless modified. And I don't like o-rings.
cobrashock