Faster gears are ok for bigger engines. A stock 216 won't pull anything faster than 4.11. A 235 will handle 3.90 which is available in 1954 as a closed drive shaft and 55.2 as an open drive shaft. Patrick's makes a 3.55 kit for the closed drive setup. I enjoy acceleration and I think that is the limit for a 235 and you would give up a lot of acceleration which I am not willing to do. Faster gears than that you will build a critter that runs 40 up hill and 80 down hill. And that's no fun. That's how big trucks were 50 years ago when I started driving. If you want faster gears, I would recommend a bigger motor. Either a v8 which takes a lot of doing to install or going to a GMC 270 or 302. They are relatively simple to install. They are about an inch and half longer than a Chev, but that is relatively simple matter. For something just to drive, I would think a 235 with a 3.90 would be a good all around ratio. A 54 closed drive shaft, it would be a bolt together. Going to an open drive shaft is relatively simple. You need the open drive shaft transmission and as WDOF mentioned, you have to weld the hinges at the spring hanger. WDOF has a good picture of how that is done.
