It's fun chasing gremlins that don't exist, I suppose. It's not my cup of tea, however. I mis-spoke on the 3.23 gear, but a 3.38 isn't much better. I'd be looking for a 3.55 or maybe even a 3.73, particularly since you've got an OD gear for getting up to highway speed. Stovebolt engines lug pretty well, but getting down below the torque curve is a sure way to have problems with bogging and flat spots.
Jerry
