402 BB question
 

Howdy, I posted this on the main page in "engines" but haven't gotten a response. New poster, but have been reading since August. I bought a '69 4x4 last year to fix up and pull my camper. It has a nice 350, but getting up there in miles (100k). I have a newly built 402 sitting in the garage I can have if I want to keep it. I would like BB torque and power, but this engine has closed port heads and high comp pistons. I read that it is built to run all out, all the time (racing?) Just wondering if it would be a good camper puller and occasional street cruiser and mountain expolorer or is it too hi performance for what I want? Also, would I need to run above 91 octane with this set up? Here are the specs I have for it:

Melling Performance cam (22204)
cam lift .296 int .311 exh
valve lift .503 int .529 exh
L35 oval closed chamber heads 400 hp
SRP-BB high performance high compression forged pistons
Casting # 3969854
Chevy Racing manifold

Thanks! Brent

Re: 402 BB question
 

its really going to be a ground pounder and what is the comp ratio. sounds like it will need racing gas

Re: 402 BB question
 

Sounds like a pretty lumpy cam. It might be ok for your usage depending on what rear gears you have. I bet you'll have to run premium with the closed chamber heads, usually they're pretty close to 9:1 with flat-tops and much higher with any kind of dome.

Re: 402 BB question
 

Welcome from Butte, MT!! Sorry I cant help with your question.

Re: 402 BB question
 

I would think the torque would be to low at the bottom end to do a good job of pulling. The cam would make good torque just to high in the rpm range to help your starts and on a hill it would bogg down and probably ping on you. JMO

Re: 402 BB question
 

It sounds like it isn't going to work for what I need. Thanks for the help, everyone!
Brent

Re: 402 BB question
 

Well, the 402 may not work for what you want it to do, but save that engine for a rainy day. Who knows, you may need a truck or car that will remove a fur tree from your property