Lot of good suggestions here!
If you can borrow shorter tires, do it!
Same with smaller carburetor, easy to swap with a 4 spd. no kick down to fool with!
My first 440 four speed swap felt "lazy"
A buddy loaned me a small AFB, really woke the car up on the street.
I had been running a Holley 800 double pumper.
Definitely check your cranking pressure, just do the easier cylinders!
Try advancing the cam, and check compression again before you put it all back together.
Of course I'm assuming you've got safe valve to piston clearance.
My car had the 2.47 first with a 3.55 rear, 245/60 tire.