I have lots of options, just sorting them out for now.  My 55 Bird is bone stock with teapot, 6 volt and bad distributor.  I just got bought this car and don't know it's history.  It looks like it had an older restoration some time in it's life.   The 292 engine runs fine with no issues or smoke.  It has a three speed manual tranny.  The performance is OK, but not what I want. 

I have just bought a complete 1957 Ford 272 with 40,000 miles on it.  It's been sitting in the back of a barn for years.    My plan is as follows:
1. Change the Bird over to 12 volts
2. Install a single wire alternator
3. Have the 57 Heads reconditioned and swap them onto my 55 292 along with the 1957 rockers and 57 exhaust manifolds
4. Buy a 57 ford or Blue Thunder manifold and 600 Holley and install it on 292.
5. Rebuild the 57 Distributor with a Pertronix unit and install it.  I know about the tach drive drive issue.

I think this should help the performance and get the car where I want it.  My question is.  Should I go to the trouble of changing the cam?  I have a new 1957 312 cam, but I think I will need to pull the engine to change the lifters as they come out the bottom.  Can I run the new cam with the old lifters.  I would also change the timing chin while I'm in there.  I would like to avoid pulling the engine if possible.  Thanks for your replies!