I think it might have been rick seaman that showed in a video that he would mark the lifters and lifter bore with the intake off, turn the motor by hand and make sure all the lifters turn before even buttoning it up.. quick easy check..
Yeah.. the 2.72 is great if you are on the highway all day :)
Go 3.73 and be happy... you can always get some 15" rims and stickier tires if you need to. Or cut the wheel opens and make a fake hemi dart :)
I believe the OD ratio on that trans is .67.... i personally would go 3.91 or 4.10s... Can always use a RPM calculator to figure out your driving rpms.. I run 4.30s without a OD right now.
https://spicerparts.com/calculators/engine-rpm-calculator