From a very good source I can say the number 1 reason those engines were pigs is because they take a very specific timing curve and it ain't all in by 3K or sooner.
Ford, like Chrysler published all this data but the super tuners even back then thought they knew more than the factory did.
Is a 302 short on torque? Yeah, if compared to a 632 it is.
I'm so sick of the whining, bitching and sniveling about low speed torque I could loose my mind.
And it all stems from the "torque wins races" crowd.
I've never heard a racer or builder say "this engine is down on torque so I'm going to go make more torque to go faster".
That's not how it is.