402 motor mystery...

[KFreddy]

Hi all,

I just got back from the shop, I have the ZZ454 in the truck I just need an upper radiator hose that will clear the alternator on the serpentine belt system and she will be running Any thoughts?

Side note, a guy walked in and was interested in buying the old BBC, I told him that it runs but that it smokes and that it was unresponsive, he still seemed interested, offering me $500.oo for it. I told him it was for sale but that I would get back to him on a price.

For the past two years I thought that the motor was a HI-Per passenger 454 mid 70's engine. However the #s on the block are 3999290, it seems to actually be a 402ci, February 2, 1972 2 bolt HI-PERF PASS engine. A dealer/ warranty replacement? I donno, it's the correct year and size for my '72 truck, only thing is my vin reads that my truck was an original 6 cyl. Any thoughts about the value of he motor, or do I just take the $500.00 and run?

Thanks,

-Fred

[cdowns]

all big blocks are stamped hipo so its not a rare or special piece of any kind i think $500 is a more than fair price for an engine needing rebuild

[special-K]

Yeah,take his $500 for a tired motor.I wouldn`t pay more than $750 for a 402 known and heard to run good.

[Rick Mills]

[hvychve]

I am not sure I could sell a rebuildable 402, I know there isnt nothing special about them, the only thing is they only used em a few years, and that makes them getting more rare, for those that are looking for orginality.
$500 too me seems a little low, and as for the emblems on the fenders , they werent 402 , but 400.

[breeh]

I love big blocks but nowadays, unless your trying to go original, building a 396/402 just doesn't make $$ sense. You can build a 454 for the same money and have a lot more HP and torque. Even 454's are considered smallish these days. I would take the $500.00 if I were you.

[Longhorn Man]

I've seen bare blocks with a box full of rods and pistons not marked, crappy assembled heads, and a few odds and ends go for 500. (this was a .040 over 402) A complete running 402 should get more than that IMO.

[jkade]

I will try to get you a part number on the hose I am using on mine when I get off work. You will have to cut it at both ends but it will work.

[WorkinLonghorn]

I say you tell him that it's 950 take it or leave it and go from there. Nobody comesout and tells you their highest offer right away. I seems low to me too ($500).

[KFreddy]

Originally Posted by jkade

I will try to get you a part number on the hose I am using on mine when I get off work. You will have to cut it at both ends but it will work.

Perfect and thank you JK, This is for a BBC with the serpentine belt system, seem to me that the hose needs to snake behind the alternator and then 90 degree down to the water neck, sound about right?

Thanks again,

-Fred

[special-K]

It`s just a core.I respect them for being original to these trucks.I would pay $750 for one I could bolt-in and drive.I`d never pay near that for a more common used motor.

[jkade]

Mine routes thru the front and the water neck is pointed straight ahead at about a 45 degree. You can buy a chrome water neck for around $10 at the parts store. The part # for the hose is Gates 20840. I have the serp system on my 402 and I about went crazy trying to find a hose and this was the only one I could find that would go the front route. I hope this helps you out cause I wish someone could have helped me.
Thanks, Kade

Originally Posted by KFreddy

Perfect and thank you JK, This is for a BBC with the serpentine belt system, seem to me that the hose needs to snake behind the alternator and then 90 degree down to the water neck, sound about right?

Thanks again,

-Fred

[stsalvage]

the word on the 402 was that these wherte 396 engs that would not clean up at 396 so they bord them to 402the 402 was put in 3 makes of cars and trucks i know 2 of them but hear the chevelle got em too

1 was the truck

2 was the 1970--72 monte carlo had the 402 and the SS had the LS5 454 and if you went to the dealer they would put the alum heads on and turn it into a LS6

the 402 was just other eng to sell a car or a truck its like the 307 back in the day

now we have a one to day in GM cars and trucks its called the 305 it was a nothing motor i know where there are over 50 402's as cores yes all big blocks are getting hard to find but there still out there and the 400 was a knock off i've heard a few GM guys say that the blocks where going to be bord to 400 then later they where at 40 over So gm did not want to spend another 50,000 in lables so they put 400 on them instead me i would of left them off the trucks

[72 cheyenne pdx]

I have heard that there wasn't a real 400 motor. The 400 were actually 396's or 402's, but for some reason GM badge them 400. I guess if you take the average of 396 and 402, you can call it a 400.

[Longhorn Man]

the 402 was created becouse of inner office politics. The GM brass didn't want there 'king of the hill' big block, to have less cubes than a small block.
The 400 small block was introduced in 1970.
The 396 was never made again after 69.
Many cars were badged 396 becouse that motor already had a kick ass reputation on the street. However, there were NO 396 engines made after 69. They were all 402's.
As for the 400 badging on the trucks, I have yet to hear anything, nor read anything that is believable.

[KFreddy]

Kade,

Thanks for the part # certainly will help out... A beer for you if your ever in Miami

-Fred

[boraxman]

I would also take the 500

[mnunn454]

Originally Posted by breeh

I love big blocks but nowadays, unless your trying to go original, building a 396/402 just doesn't make $$ sense. You can build a 454 for the same money and have a lot more HP and torque. Even 454's are considered smallish these days. I would take the $500.00 if I were you.

I agree completely.

I just removed a 66 396 from my 69 and installed a fresh 454. I got lucky on the sale of the 396. It was originally out of a Chevelle, and a guy looking for my EKH suffix engine for a 66 Chevelle resto project happened to stumble across my ad.

Going price is usually way less than $1000 unless it's a special engine of some kind. Heck, average 396/402's that have been rebuilt are only averaging in the 1200 to 1300 range on Ebay.

I'd say sell it unless you anticipate needing it in the future for a build of some kind.

[KFreddy]

Not to get overly '80s on you'all but you guys are choice...

Seems that that $500 will help pave the way for a set of American racing salt flats....

Thanks for the input

[special-K]

There ya go!!If thank guy doesn`t come through,you`ll still have no probs getting that price.You could try for more,there`s always those who throw money out.But,$500 is dead0on IMO.(I`d buy it )