BJ60,

Here's what others have to say on your topic:

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/1194516/Re:_1953_Chevy_Truck_3100_top_.html

My Stovebolt is a '36 Chevy pickup with a much more anemic engine than yours. I swapped in a 3.55 rear gear set and even the little 207 engine pulls the 3.55 gears easily:

http://vcca.org/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/334876/1936_Chevy_3.55_rear_gear_conv


Ray