68 L89 CE Block
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From: Houston
68 L89 CE Block
I just bought a 68 L89 Coupe and it has a CE replacement block. Car was built April 68. Block casting number is 3693512. Casting date E28. Block stamped CE968182IU. Just want to know if you guys translate this info the same as I.Thanks, Mike[IMG]
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From: Houston
This is what I found off the internet on decoding the CE block. "The C stands for Chevrolet, E stands for Engine (T would be Transmission), and the first number is the year. then there is a serial number for the engine, based on the xxxth engine that year. The serial is 20,000 to 49,999 for Flint and 50,000 to 79,999 for Tonowanda. For example, CE850327 is a Chevrolet engine from Tonowanda for 1968 and was the 327th produced, not that it was a 327. (It could be, but that would be an incredible coincidence.)"
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From: Washington Michigan
Originally Posted by Jetrench
I just bought a 68 L89 Coupe and it has a CE replacement block. Car was built April 68. Block casting number is 3693512. Casting date E28. Block stamped CE968182IU. Just want to know if you guys translate this info the same as I.Thanks, Mike[IMG][/IMG]
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From: Houston
John, that doesn't make sense. Casting date is E28 which is May 68. From my reading, my translation of CE968182IU is: C= Chevrolet, E=Engine, 9=Year, 68182=Tonawanda Built(Tonawanda serials 50,000-79,999), IU=L89. If the block was produced in 1969 then why the E28 date. Then again I understand that the 3963512 block was not introduced until late in 1968. I'm confused, somebody shed some light please. I got the CE block info from this site:[URL=http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/3000/ceblock.html?
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From: Washington Michigan
I'd take another look at the casting date year digit to make sure it isn't a "9"; that block wasn't introduced in production until late in the '69 model year.
Do you have a photo of the pad? "CE" short blocks didn't have a suffix code ("IU") on them, as the parts that determined horsepower and vehicle application were bolt-on parts, to be transferred from the failed engine (heads, intake, cam, oil pump, pan, timing cover, etc.). "CE" short blocks were just a block with crank, rods, and pistons; some were even "fitted" blocks, with just pistons (no crank or rods).
Do you have a photo of the pad? "CE" short blocks didn't have a suffix code ("IU") on them, as the parts that determined horsepower and vehicle application were bolt-on parts, to be transferred from the failed engine (heads, intake, cam, oil pump, pan, timing cover, etc.). "CE" short blocks were just a block with crank, rods, and pistons; some were even "fitted" blocks, with just pistons (no crank or rods).
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From: Washington Michigan
I don't see any broach marks, and the stamping is at the wrong end of the pad; big-blocks were stamped on the outboard side of the pad. Also appears to have been stamped one character at a time, which isn't typical.
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From: Houston
Yea John, Looks kind of strange. I'm definately not an expert but it appears to have broach marks. I don't think anyone would restamp the block with a CE number. I guess I need to get someone in the Houston area to come look at the car to try to see if there are broach marks. I will also go home tonight and take a picture of the casting number and date. I am almost sure that the date is E28. I was told that the car was kept by GM and used as a show car or test car from 68-72 and then auctioned off. I think that it is probably BS but who knows. Maybe that is the reason for these numbers not jiving. Mike
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From: Houston
Just got home and took a good look at the cast date. I couldn't see the 9. Covered up with grime. So cast date is E289. Any comments on the stamp? Has anyone seen one with a suffix stamped on it? Mike
