Re: Thoughts on the stock 402?
 

The 396 was my first favorite muscle motor. I loved the 66 SS396 Chevelles. I can agree they were anything but fuel effecient but they were fun. For an occasional use vehicle these days I’d still have the old big block with carb and all. For a daily driver it makes more sense to go modern I guess.

Re: Thoughts on the stock 402?
 

Any other thoughts on this cam that was mentioned earlier?:

Comp camshaft 11-106-3 or the GM #3904362.

According to specs, that's the cam used in the L78 or LS6.

Re: Thoughts on the stock 402?
 

My 71 3/4 ton had a factory 402. someone before me had installed hard valve seats in the heads. one came loose and wrecked the engine. It pulled heavy loads Ok. pinged and dieseled on low octane gas. guzzled gas. wasn't the fastest big block I ever owned. I installed a 454 that has lower compression ratio. Better all around. I was thinking of putting the 402 crank in a 454 block and building a 427.

Re: Thoughts on the stock 402?
 

BAM! This quote all day^^. Add headers & full duals & a cross over pipe, if you do anything to this 402 to allow it to breath. Around .500 lift cam-bingo. It should have the oval port heads. The peanut heads will be done at like 4200 RPM tow truck style & take a smaller cam.