BBC 402 good deal? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Travis104 · 10-06-2014, 08:37 PM

Hello,
I have a 68 Camaro that currently has a 327 with Saginaw 4 speed. I am looking into either an LS swap or BBC. I ran across a BBC 396 out of a 70SS Chevelle about a 1/2 mile from my house. From what I have researched, this engine is actually a 402. The motor is complete minus carb. It has oval port heads, stock intake, distributor, harmonic balancer. it does not have manifolds or headers. The guy said that he got the engine for a 70SS chevelle project about 14 years ago. He said that the engine was rebuilt back then to almost factory specs, and has never been started. I checked the oil and it is nice and clean, the engine still turns over and is not locked. Casting number on block does show that it is from a 70 SS chevelle. The guy wont take any less than $1000 for it. I was wondering if this was a good deal or should I keep looking. With the BBC my conversion cost would be much less and it is just going to be a weekend cruiser or maybe a road trip now and then. I have a 2013 ZL1 that is taken on car rallies and such. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Travis

pcguy2u · 10-07-2014, 09:22 AM

I think it's a great deal, but only if you are inclined to go with a non-efi swap. Personally, I was never a big fan of the older SBC/BBC because of their tendency for poor fuel consumption.

Ragnar · 10-10-2014, 04:09 PM

That is a good price on the motor. I spent about $5K when I had my 302 rebuilt for my '69 Z28. I had a 70 Chevelle SS with that motor back in the 70's and the previous owner welded a chain in the engine bay, to keep the car from braking motor mounts. That car was so fun, that I still smell the rubber! So, part time car, I vote big block!!!

el ess A · 10-10-2014, 04:59 PM

$1000 and it's rebuilt already?? Assuming it's a quality build and you won't have to "redo" anything on it, it's a GREAT deal!

10-06-2014, 08:37 PM	#1
Travis104 Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Virginia Posts: 591	BBC 402 good deal? Hello, I have a 68 Camaro that currently has a 327 with Saginaw 4 speed. I am looking into either an LS swap or BBC. I ran across a BBC 396 out of a 70SS Chevelle about a 1/2 mile from my house. From what I have researched, this engine is actually a 402. The motor is complete minus carb. It has oval port heads, stock intake, distributor, harmonic balancer. it does not have manifolds or headers. The guy said that he got the engine for a 70SS chevelle project about 14 years ago. He said that the engine was rebuilt back then to almost factory specs, and has never been started. I checked the oil and it is nice and clean, the engine still turns over and is not locked. Casting number on block does show that it is from a 70 SS chevelle. The guy wont take any less than $1000 for it. I was wondering if this was a good deal or should I keep looking. With the BBC my conversion cost would be much less and it is just going to be a weekend cruiser or maybe a road trip now and then. I have a 2013 ZL1 that is taken on car rallies and such. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Travis

10-10-2014, 04:59 PM	#4
el ess A Older Than Dirt Drives: 2010 & 2013 Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 4,678	$1000 and it's rebuilt already?? Assuming it's a quality build and you won't have to "redo" anything on it, it's a GREAT deal! __________________ 2010 2SS TE, 1 of 822/2013 Camaro ZL1 vert, 1 of 54

10-07-2014, 09:22 AM	#2
pcguy2u Drives: 2009 Corvette ZR1 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: On the coast North of SFBay Posts: 297	I think it's a great deal, but only if you are inclined to go with a non-efi swap. Personally, I was never a big fan of the older SBC/BBC because of their tendency for poor fuel consumption.

10-10-2014, 04:09 PM	#3
Ragnar Destroyed by flooding Drives: Wife's car Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 4,672	That is a good price on the motor. I spent about $5K when I had my 302 rebuilt for my '69 Z28. I had a 70 Chevelle SS with that motor back in the 70's and the previous owner welded a chain in the engine bay, to keep the car from braking motor mounts. That car was so fun, that I still smell the rubber! So, part time car, I vote big block!!!