that is the 502HO cam. here is ZZ502 cam. can't run this much duration with 110 lobe sep with stock exhausts. would revert. https://paceperformance.com/i-625508...zz502-502.html

my bad. I was assuming you meant 502HO. a rectangle port 461 hp 502. the HT is a 406 hp peanut port 502. very mild cam. would work good in large boat spending it's life in the 3500 rpm range. cam specs for the HT https://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Per...52296/10002/-1

Dereknkathy you got me ta thinkin.
looked up the 502HO. Looks like alittle more hp and alittle more torque (closer to where I wanted to be) for not much more money AND still an 8.7:1 compression ratio (so still runs on cheap, easily found pump gas. Might be the compromise I'm looking for.

Might have to post this on a different thread:
Found a Ford block by ATK on the Summit Racing site with compression of 9.5:1 (pump gas?) and produces 515 horsepower for only a few hundred bucks more. Is this a viable option...better/worse than the GM? Would like to hear what you guys have to say.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/h

Anything else out there I should look at?

Some local mechanic quoted me a price of 15k to rebuild my tired old mills or 35k for a couple of new Mercruiser 540's and not much in between so finding these crate engines is makin me real happy but scarin the hell outta Admiral Conscience. :evilb: