402 bbc question

[my67chevytruck]

I found a 402 bbc complete with all brackets, and accessoriesAlt, ac, ps, etc from the air cleaner to the oil pan. apparently they pulled it about 8 years ago from a late 60 early 70 station wagon and it was apparently running ? It has been mounted on the engine start stand since then. can someone let me know what the value of this would be,

Thanks

Heath

[vectorit]

I sold a 68 396 with all the brackets that I rebuilt myself mostly stock years ago for 2500. So, maybe a grand if youre not in a hurry to sell it.
Bein that someone will be lookin at just a motor, and not able to hear it run and all. Expect to get chiseled on your price if it's a little high, builders will expect "core" price. So you can check with a machine shop and ask what their core price is and go from there.
Almost better to take all the brackets and tin off, and sell them sepperately since BBC brackets & tin are valuable.

Just my .02

[67/72junkie]

It would have to be a 70 or later if it is a 402.The factory started boring 396s to 402 in 1970 when the 400 small block came out.They did not want a bb with less cubic inchs than the largest smallblock.I would also agree that you would come out ahead if you remove all the brakets and sell separate from the motor unless you come across someone wanting to convert a chevelle,camaro,etc from smallblock to bb.If cleaned and painted nicely the brackets will sell good on ebay.

[monte0185]

Originally Posted by 67/72junkie

It would have to be a 70 or later if it is a 402.The factory started boring 396s to 402 in 1970 when the 400 small block came out.They did not want a bb with less cubic inchs than the largest smallblock.

Tidbit of historical info. Actually The 402's were a GM fluke. What happened was they had a batch of 396's that were bored at the wrong angle. So instead of chunking them in the scrap they rebored them correctly but in correcting the mistake they upped the CI's to 402. Thus the reason there are only a couple of years of 402 bb's. Just an interesting bit of history for yall.

[breeh]

Originally Posted by monte0185

Tidbit of historical info. Actually The 402's were a GM fluke. What happened was they had a batch of 396's that were bored at the wrong angle. So instead of chunking them in the scrap they rebored them correctly but in correcting the mistake they upped the CI's to 402. Thus the reason there are only a couple of years of 402 bb's. Just an interesting bit of history for yall.

I have heard several theories on the 402. This is a new one for me. If you don't mind me asking, where did you get this information?

Another explanation that I heard is that the 396 blocks somehow got some rust in them so GM bored them in order to still use them.

[monte0185]

My info came from one of my best friends grandfather. we used to go visit him every now and then when we were in high school. He worked at a GM casting factory outside of indianapolis. He retired when i was in high school and had a collection of GM cars and trucks that would make you cry!!! He also got a really fat discount on anything new from GM.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by monte0185

Tidbit of historical info. Actually The 402's were a GM fluke. What happened was they had a batch of 396's that were bored at the wrong angle. So instead of chunking them in the scrap they rebored them correctly but in correcting the mistake they upped the CI's to 402. Thus the reason there are only a couple of years of 402 bb's. Just an interesting bit of history for yall.

Yay...I finally see someone else knows the correct answer!

[shooterpcb]

I have been a BBC Chevelle/Elky guy for several years until I got this '68 truck. I just sold my original 1969 SS396 Chevelle last year. The 1969 was last year of the short water pump in Chevelles, not sure on other BBCs for trucks.

[monte0185]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Yay...I finally see someone else knows the correct answer!

Ive only met a couple people that knew this. They like me happened to just know the right person that worked for GM at this particular point in time. Its not something that was ever advertised i dont think. Interesting though if you ask me.

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by monte0185

Tidbit of historical info. Actually The 402's were a GM fluke. What happened was they had a batch of 396's that were bored at the wrong angle. So instead of chunking them in the scrap they rebored them correctly but in correcting the mistake they upped the CI's to 402. Thus the reason there are only a couple of years of 402 bb's. Just an interesting bit of history for yall.

Oh buggers Monte0185, now I know my motors an off child .. thanks good buddy

Seriously, price wise, I bought a complete 402 (and I mean complete..included radiator,
pan to intake, all brackets, engine mounts, headers, etc...) from a board member
for $800 and I figure I got a very rare deal.

IMHO, for a good running, low mile 402 engine alone, I would suspect that the same price
would be appropriate and, if I was looking wouldn't hesitate.

BTW, Too Much Stuff, thanks for the pics...mine's still on a stand with accys in boxes

[monte0185]

Originally Posted by ETsC10

Oh buggers Monte0185, now I know my motors an off child .. thanks good buddy

Well I imagine it probably matches your personality since we all seem to OFF in our own way!!!

[my67chevytruck]

Thanks for the input guys, I am thinking of purchasing this motor and was trying to see what the purchase value should be

[OregonC20]

67/72junkie wrote this "It would have to be a 70 or later if it is a 402.The factory started boring 396s to 402 in 1970 when the 400 small block came out.They did not want a bb with less cubic inchs than the largest smallblock."

I have a 1970 chevy truck with a big block. The spid in my truck says 396 but the badge on the fender side says 400. So is my truck a 396 or a 402 big block?

[El Jay]

It's not worth anything.

But being the nice guy that I am, I'm willing to pay crating and shipping fees to get it to my place, as is, sight unseen.

[shooterpcb]

if it is complete with a not broken guarantee it is worth $500-800 unless it is original from a high performance car, then $900-1500 average to a restorer. 402s are commonly seen in cars and trucks with 400 badges on the side of the automobile from the factory. Alot of trucks, Wagons and Impalas from 1970-72 have 400 on the fender with a 402 under the hood. If you need any references looked up on the motor, let me know and I'll be happy to help you out. shooterpcb@yahoo.com

[blakeaz33]

It will be worth more to the muscle car crowd if it is a short water pump - AC on the passenger side usually. If the PS has the remote reservoir that makes it worth big bucks to the A body BB guys - complete pulleys brackets AC PS remote res media blasted and painted with all the hoses and clamps can bring over a $1,000 easy.

[67/72junkie]

I bought a 71 bb truck last year.When I checked the #s on the motor it was out of a 69 chevelle.I removed the aluminum intake and valve covers after I cranked the motor and made sure it ran ok.I installed a correct cast iron 69 dated intake and stock valve covers.It was very clean on the inside when I had the intake off and I took a pic.I advertised it in the local bargain trader for $900. I had a guy come pick it up and payed me cash with no questions asked when he saw pics of the inside. I gauranteed it ran fine and didn't knock.It also sold the day the add came out and I'm sure I could have gotten more as he had a 69 ss he was restoring and it was correct date coded 396 only not to his car.if the block was decked no one would know it came from another car but all date codes would have been correct.

[67/72junkie]

A 396 and a 402 are the same thing.the block has the same casting #'s the only differance is the 402 is bored .30 from the factory .A .30 over stock 396 piston is the same as a standard bore 402 piston.If your truck is a 70 it should be 402 .I had a 70 ss396 chevelle and it had a 402 .was also a rare car since almost everyone ordered ss454 when they came out in 70.Only 1900 ss396 chevelles produced in 1970

[El Jay]

Shooter, AZ, 67/72;
You guys are messin' me up here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All kidding aside, unless the price is really outrageous, it should be a better than decent deal; considering it is "complete".

[blakeaz33]

Agree, my point is a complete early BBC if the price is around the numbers posted in the thread would be a good deal. The value in a complete set up is more often in the accessories if you're familiar with what crosses over. Kind of like the value the accessories for a 250 six have on this site - the muscle car and pro tour guys especially love the Novas, Chevelles, Camaros with the 250's. They will give you the complete 250 for free with stock PS and AC just to haul it out of their shop for them.

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by 67/72junkie

A 396 and a 402 are the same thing.the block has the same casting #'s the only differance is the 402 is bored .30 from the factory .A .30 over stock 396 piston is the same as a standard bore 402 piston.If your truck is a 70 it should be 402 .I had a 70 ss396 chevelle and it had a 402 .was also a rare car since almost everyone ordered ss454 when they came out in 70.Only 1900 ss396 chevelles produced in 1970

1970 was the second highest production year for total Chevelles built-487,969The best way to narrow down the SS Chevelle statistics is to break it down by engine production.
L34- 396-350 hp-51,437
L78- 396-375 hp- 2,144
L89- 396-375 hp- 18
Alum. head
LS5- 454-360 hp- 4,298
LS6- 454-450 hp- 4,475
This means approximately 62,372 Chevelle Super Sports were built in 1970

[68350]

600 bucks with tranny seems like a good deal! what's he want for the 402?

monte, i've heard that there was a leak in the gm warehouse cause the motors to form rust, thus having to be bored out so they didnt have to scrap them all. that's 3 theorys on this thread, anyone else heard another?

[my67chevytruck]

he's asking 700 for the 402.

I'll probably get the 402 as its complete, and has all accessories...

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

he's asking 700 for the 402.

I'll probably get the 402 as its complete, and has all accessories...

Great deal! The accessories are worth almost that.

[my67chevytruck]

Thanks for the comments and help guys ! Monte, you didnt hijack my thread, i learn alot from this site from different users insight/responses.

Thanks again.