54 Savoy project

A little off topic but it may help. I will check for you on the year model but I have a friend who had a ford 8.8 inch explorer rear installed in a '54 Belvedere. It was an exact interchange with the old 8-1/4 third member Chrysler rear axle, the drive shaft even bolted up and did not have to be shortened. Still has the flat head six and two speed Powerflite. It got him into a 3.73 limited slip and away from the press fit rear brake drums. I think he is also looking into a Scarebird front disc setup for it.
But I too am all for the 5.9 Magnum with the A518. Maybe with an airgap or crosswind intake, 750 AVS Thunder 2, and maybe a light cam upgrade. With the Magnum 1.6 rockers, a stock specification LA 360 hydraulic roller would be the first step up from stock with the stock spec 318 LA hydraulic roller would be the second step up. Any more cam than this or the crane or comp computer controlled cams will probably require guide and spring work.