My '71 build ideas and questions

[SeventyOne]

To make a long story short i bought a '71 Blazer 4x4 about a month ago.



As it sits it has a 327 that was swapped in by a PO, and a TH350/NP205 w/ stock axles.

Plans are to restore it and add a few new features done in good taste (restomod)

So right now I am thinking about either a 383 stroker or a 402 to replace the 327 - I want good torque as the blazer will mostly be used at lower rpms and i wont need the highend power. Which better suits my needs in terms of power and where the power is?

Is the 402 a direct bolt in (unlike a 454) or will it require some engine bay mods?

Will the TH350 stand up to either? If not, would a beefier tranny allow me to keep the column shift and bolt up to the NP205?

I will stop here even though I have tons of questions for all you gen1 vets!

thanks in advance for your help!