No Chevy V8 has a foot starter. Some have rigged one up but you said you wanted to keep it simple. The most straight forward swap is to use the 55-59 bell housing and a Borgwarner 3sp overdrive transmission. An open driveshaft rear end close to 61" wheel mount flange to wmf is necessary. Your 48 shifter rods can be modified to fit the overdrive trans since it's just a three speed like yours with the OD unit added on the rear. Since you will be using a different rear end you can go to a shallow ratio in the low 3.00 range and eliminate the OD but this kills low geared starts like with a big load or a trailer. If just for cruising this is the most simple route. Turn your rear springs 180 degrees to center the open rear in the wheel opening. Your factory radiator, if in good shape, will cool a V8. A switch to !2v with alternator, tube shocks, radial tires, and dumping the Huck brakes are things to consider in the future.

Evan