Hard starts after running

If I was in your situation with a low cylinder pressure 318, I would run at least a 2800, and 3.23s.
You'd get a similar hit off the line, a quieter ride, better fuel-economy, and possible even the same or similar zero to fifty ET, cuz the 3.23s will get you there without a gearchange.
3.23s will get you about 65=2700 with 26" tires at Zero-slip/perhaps 2800 with a 2800 Tc and 3>4% slip.

Oh wait, I already did this, lol. and loved it.