Any truth to this 396/402 update?

[442w30]

I think you're missing the point.

He's claiming that the bored-out 396 was initially a mistake and suggesting that "The dealer showed him a GM letter that explained why the motor was a "402" and that there was a series of blocks that were inadvertantly bored .030. also interesting is the fact that the pistons were TRW."

I've never heard this and believe it to be wrong. The only thing I've heard ever was that all 396s in 1970 were 402s and that was a running change, most likely for emissions reasons.

I was hoping someone here would know for sure.