Looking for possible carb recommendations...

IMO, I'd look for the big primary T-Q.

Anyway, a stock 77 - 440 isn't exactly a power house and the year is a bogged down engine. Dead on ratio and emmissions, etc... I have a 78 - 400, it's another dead on arrival engine.

Gear ratio has some say in this, but a 8-1/4????

OK, your not goona like this one but.

650 - 700 max.