71 402 block(3969854) and a pair of 71 820 (113cc) heads.
68 El Camino
TH400 stock stall
2.73:1 rear
A/C, P/S, P/B
4 core radiator, 7 blade stock fan
headers and 2.5" exhaust

The car will be driven almost everyday on the street, and will probably never see the track, or even driven like its on one. Most driving here is freeway or open rural roads.

The only request I have from my father is for a solid lifter cam, a lopey idle and decent compression. As you can see, performance is not the main concern. I would love to see something that will run good on the street, on 89 octane.

Any recommendations for pistons and cam?

Thanks!!

TRW L2354 is the correct piston for a 402 Motor [.188 dome, 19.8CC]. These yield 9.5/1 with a 104CC (actual CC'd Head that I use), .040 gasket an .014 piston/deck. This will drop your CR to about 8.5/1 with those heads. First thing I would do for sure is get the head chambers CC'd to be exact whrer they are. I would shoot for 9.0/1 CR, then pick the piston to get there and cam according to RPM range deisred. Do not go too big on the cam with your 2.73 gears, or it will be a "slug" to drive. This is one of those areas smaller is better.

I would not go with a solid cam for a daily driver! There is no need for one. Go with a hydraulic cam woth about 230 duration at .05 and a tight center lobe and you will get a lumpy idle.

Its for my dad, though. He wants a "cam and solids", just like he had on some of his old flat heads and old Impalas and Vettes. I figure the car will see 10k miles a year, so I won't have to adjust the valves too often.

Ahhhh... now I understand! Go for it. With the high rear gears you will need to keep the cam as mild as possible for low end torque. It may be tough to find a solid that will work with that rear gear set.

Hi i am also rebuilding a 402 engine ,but if i look at pistons like nr: L2354f and the L2328F they all mention closed chamber at the summit list ? I am looking for a piston that will work with both heads ! My heads now are the 6272292 open chamber heads ! Ok for now but if i can find 3964290 closed chamber heads that would be adding more compression since they are closed chamber . Any info would be apriciated !

Thank's Stef.

Consider a good old CC 270S if you want a solid cam.

Should be fine in a set-up like this.. Highway gears and all...

pdq67