1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**JQ-72** · 03-05-2011, 06:54 PM

I posted this a while back, but I can't find the thread - plus I've discovered more info about it. I bought a complete 402 (disassembled) and everything matches except the block. The heads, intake, ex. manifolds all have similar dates. The block, however, has a 1973 date. Here's the info : casting number - 3999290, casting date - Oct. 1973, suffix code is basically non-existent - I can barely make out a "4". Maybe block was decked?? OK, all the websites I've checked say that casting 3999290 is 70-72 (some say just 72) light duty truck. Here's where I'm lost - date is 1973. I do not believe that the 402 was made after 1972. My 1st thought was the something happened to the original engine when the truck was a year or two old and this may have been a replacement block?? I know I'm being over analytical about this, but what do you guys think?? Here's some pics.

Joshua

**DANTIP** · 03-06-2011, 11:30 AM

Joshua,

That is a head-scratcher! I do know "replacement" engines had "CE" stamped on the pad for "Crate Engine". I suspect you are on the right track because the 290 casting was not used after '72 and you clearly have a late '73 casting date.

Did you happen to check the bore?

**JQ-72** · 03-07-2011, 04:37 PM

I did a rough check with a tape measure and the bore is about 4 1/16" - pretty sure that's a 402.

JQ

Zoomin · 03-07-2011, 05:08 PM

You have a 72 block that is a service replacement.
Posted via Mobile Device

**70shortfleet** · 03-07-2011, 06:38 PM

I have the same casting number on my 1972 GMC BB. Where do you find the date code?

406 Q-ship · 03-07-2011, 06:53 PM

I'm sure that has to be a service block for a 402 BB. GM would still need engines for the warrenties through most of 1973.

**tkeduk8r** · 03-07-2011, 08:55 PM

Josh... Im with 406-q.... the owner of the body ship I worked at when I was a kid has a 69 RS/Z28 that has a 70 date cast block and was a service replacement for a bad crank that let loose... has all the paper work to prove it... Craig has to bring the paperwork to all the shows since the judges go nuts over the casting date...he has owned the car since spring of '71, and bought it from the chevy dealsership's son.... hope that helps..
--Mike

**DANTIP** · 03-07-2011, 09:00 PM

x3 '72 402-powered trucks had to have warranty 402 replacement engines in order to be emissions legal. The 454 was the production big-block in '73 but could not be legally installed under warranty in a '72. I have never seen another one. Nice Find!

**JQ-72** · 03-07-2011, 09:57 PM

Cool. Thanks for the info.

JQ

VA72C10 · 03-07-2011, 10:03 PM

Cool info!

Ed 72 Sierra Grande · 12-20-2011, 01:12 AM

Good 402 Info. Always mixed opinions and mystery with this motor. Always read 50/50

**MikeCofield** · 12-21-2011, 12:07 AM

, ce is not crate engine it stands for counter exchange

**Already Gone** · 12-21-2011, 12:40 AM

Wow, the things you learn surfin' this site.

03-05-2011, 06:54 PM	#1
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,632	1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! I posted this a while back, but I can't find the thread - plus I've discovered more info about it. I bought a complete 402 (disassembled) and everything matches except the block. The heads, intake, ex. manifolds all have similar dates. The block, however, has a 1973 date. Here's the info : casting number - 3999290, casting date - Oct. 1973, suffix code is basically non-existent - I can barely make out a "4". Maybe block was decked?? OK, all the websites I've checked say that casting 3999290 is 70-72 (some say just 72) light duty truck. Here's where I'm lost - date is 1973. I do not believe that the 402 was made after 1972. My 1st thought was the something happened to the original engine when the truck was a year or two old and this may have been a replacement block?? I know I'm being over analytical about this, but what do you guys think?? Here's some pics. Joshua Attached Images __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior

03-06-2011, 11:30 AM	#2
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,890	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! Joshua, That is a head-scratcher! I do know "replacement" engines had "CE" stamped on the pad for "Crate Engine". I suspect you are on the right track because the 290 casting was not used after '72 and you clearly have a late '73 casting date. Did you happen to check the bore? Last edited by DANTIP; 03-06-2011 at 11:31 AM.

03-07-2011, 04:37 PM	#3
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,632	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! I did a rough check with a tape measure and the bore is about 4 1/16" - pretty sure that's a 402. JQ __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior

03-07-2011, 05:08 PM	#4
Zoomin Man of Mini-Talents Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 4,295	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! You have a 72 block that is a service replacement. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Steve Project - Ruth 66 Skylark Project - Lola 60 Biscayne Project - Iron Ox 54 GMC 100 Project - Darth 69 Camaro

03-07-2011, 06:38 PM	#5
70shortfleet Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: St.Peters, MO Posts: 2,255	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! I have the same casting number on my 1972 GMC BB. Where do you find the date code? Attached Images

03-07-2011, 06:53 PM	#6
406 Q-ship Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 632	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! I'm sure that has to be a service block for a 402 BB. GM would still need engines for the warrenties through most of 1973. __________________ Lifes journey is not to arrive at the gate well preserved, it is to slide in sideways all used up and wore out yelling.....God what'a ride! Where patience fails, force prevails Stapp's Ironical Paradox "The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle."

03-07-2011, 08:55 PM	#7
tkeduk8r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Alexandria, MN Posts: 1,462	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! Josh... Im with 406-q.... the owner of the body ship I worked at when I was a kid has a 69 RS/Z28 that has a 70 date cast block and was a service replacement for a bad crank that let loose... has all the paper work to prove it... Craig has to bring the paperwork to all the shows since the judges go nuts over the casting date...he has owned the car since spring of '71, and bought it from the chevy dealsership's son.... hope that helps.. --Mike __________________ 63 C20 2WD, 230/SM420/4.11 73K 68 C30 dump truck, 327,SM425,4.56 66K original 68 C10 2WD SWB Stepper, 250/3-tree/3.73 66K.... Wifes 68 Buick Skylark Custom Conv., 350/TH400/2.56 In our family since '79 69 GMC 1500 SWB 2WD, 350/TH350/3.73 posi... 70 K10 SWB 4X4 4-sp,ps, pb, tilt, buckets, console, sliding back window (Need AC parts) WIP 72 Chevy K20 4x4 350/350/205/4.56 donor 72 Vette 350/M21/3.70 posi, triple black and super fast 84 Olds Cutlass Brougham 350/2004r/4.11 was Dad's

03-07-2011, 09:00 PM	#8
DANTIP Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA Posts: 1,890	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! x3 '72 402-powered trucks had to have warranty 402 replacement engines in order to be emissions legal. The 454 was the production big-block in '73 but could not be legally installed under warranty in a '72. I have never seen another one. Nice Find!

03-07-2011, 09:57 PM	#9
JQ-72 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Killen, Alabama USA Posts: 3,632	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! Cool. Thanks for the info. JQ __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super swb. Factory 402/400,tach,posi,AM/FM, A/C. Adding cruise, 8-track 72 Cheyenne Super swb. 350/350 A/C, bucket seats 72 Cheyenne swb. Factory 402/400, tilt, posi, A/C 72 Cheyenne Super K-10. 350/4 spd., posi. 72 Suburban 350/350 tilt, tach, AM/FM, A/C, luggage rack 72 GMC Sierra lwb. 350/350, A/C. medium green/olive interior

03-07-2011, 10:03 PM	#10
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! Cool info! __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

12-20-2011, 01:12 AM	#11
Ed 72 Sierra Grande Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Whittier Ca Posts: 172	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! Good 402 Info. Always mixed opinions and mystery with this motor. Always read 50/50 __________________ Ed F 1972 Sierra Grande White Top Medium Olive 402 bb / Camper Stock, Loaded, Straight & Aged Nicely, No Tilt Original Resto would be nice $

12-21-2011, 12:07 AM	#12
MikeCofield Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eastaboga AL Posts: 4,943	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! , ce is not crate engine it stands for counter exchange

12-21-2011, 12:40 AM	#13
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,162	Re: 1972 402 BB ID - experts chime in!! Wow, the things you learn surfin' this site. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021



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