I agree.
I also wish there were more high performance parts available for them. I am running the original 226 flathead 6 in my 51 Ford coupe,and am going to keep it. Headers and heads are impossible to find,and intakes almost as hard to find.
Glad to hear your sticking with the original engine - makes for a more interesting hot rod (if you ask me :-)).
Eddie Edmunds made head for the 226 - I have seen pics. He also made two-jug intake:
Edmunds manifold on ebay auction just ended - will likely relist.
There is a company called Knudsen that also made a manifold and head for the 226.
happy hunting.
regards,
stock49