Any truth to this 396/402 update?

[Kurt S]

To go back to this, I suspected it was related to emissions too. But I've never found any 1970 rule change that being over 400 cu in would help. And .030 wouldn't affect emissions enough either.

But for some reason, they made the change. And it got really confusing cause they called it a 396, but it was a 402. But all the service docs called it a 400 - and there was also the SB 400. Reading service docs can be like a replay of 'who's on first...'

[Nova Research Project]

This might be what the dealer was talking about. Here is some 1970 Model Year Info. It does mention the 1969 Camaro 396 as it relates to the 402 introduced in 1970. See page 7.

1970 New Model Summary

And information on the 402 Mark IV Block

400 Cu. In. Engine Released

However would not apply to an earlier 1969. That would have probably be a green block issue.

Greg