Very Mild 318 Build

toolmanmike said
Do a compression and a leakage test. If the engine is in relative good shape put a Weiand or old edelbrock LD4B on it and some dual exhaust. With a smart distributor curve you may have the performance you are looking for without going the overhaul, cam, converter rear gears route.

This was going to be my original plan, unfortunately (or fortunately now rather than during the spring) the nylon timing gear lost a few teeth and jumped time.

As for rear end, I'm thinking the 3.55 will give me a good compromise between low end pull and being able to cruise at 55 in adequate comfort.