CE Engine
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
CE Engine
I have a 67 vette that has a CE engine. I have heard different things about the CE engine. Some comments that I have read is that the CE engine was a warranty replacement. Is it? Could someone help me with the identification of this engine?
It is 327. The S/N is CE4N32943
Is this engine a corvette engine??
Is it worth rebuilding?
Thanks
Edward Kaneb Jr.
It is 327. The S/N is CE4N32943
Is this engine a corvette engine??
Is it worth rebuilding?
Thanks
Edward Kaneb Jr.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
It could be warranty, or it could be that some one went to to the parts dept and ordered a short block (like I did) or a complete engine.
What is the casting date on the back of the block? My 1974 purchased CE 327 has a casting date of March, 1970
The 4 may, or may not, indicate a year it was assembled, like 1974, other than that, the numbers don't mean anything that anybody can ascertain.
You could have a 327 or 350, or maybe even a 400, depending on who installed in and when.
Doug
What is the casting date on the back of the block? My 1974 purchased CE 327 has a casting date of March, 1970
The 4 may, or may not, indicate a year it was assembled, like 1974, other than that, the numbers don't mean anything that anybody can ascertain.
You could have a 327 or 350, or maybe even a 400, depending on who installed in and when.
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
That letter is interesting. My CE 350 has a letter that does not belong. My stamp pad is: CE3A84 6 3. Wonder what the "A" is for? And the reason for the large space between the 4_6_3?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Australia
Mine is CE0A58907, without any spaces.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
I suspect the letter either means something internal to GM, or they were doing alpha numeric sequences, 01234, A00001, B00001, each time they got to a certain number of units, they went up a letter and started at 0001 again.
My CE 350HP/327 short block has CE0xxxxx, so no letter, just 1970 build date indicated.
Doug
My CE 350HP/327 short block has CE0xxxxx, so no letter, just 1970 build date indicated.
Doug
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thank you very much for the information... I will check the casting date and let you know what I find.... Question, should I rebuild this engine or should I buy a new one?
This engine is tired. The heads are good and may be of value... so a short block may be an option.
This engine is tired. The heads are good and may be of value... so a short block may be an option.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,773
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
From an old JohnZ post;
"All the "CE" stamping tells you is the year it was made (the single-digit number following "CE"), and the month it was made (the single letter character following the first number digit). The rest of the number is sequential, and identifies the engine plant that built it; Flint Engine was assigned the block of numbers from 20,000 to 49,999, and Tonawanda Engine was assigned the block of numbers from 50,000 to 79,999.
There is no other decodable information contained in the "CE" number; these short blocks/fitted blocks were ordered by the dealers off a chart, by part number, so the replacement's internals would match those of the failed engine (crank, rods, pistons). That part number doesn't appear anywhere on the engine - only on the paperwork on the crate it was shipped in. The only way to determine the internals of a "CE" block is to tear it down.
Flint and Tonawanda also confused the issue further by occasionally adding more numbers or letters to the stamping sequence for internal purposes, but the meaning of those occasional extra characters is unknown."
"All the "CE" stamping tells you is the year it was made (the single-digit number following "CE"), and the month it was made (the single letter character following the first number digit). The rest of the number is sequential, and identifies the engine plant that built it; Flint Engine was assigned the block of numbers from 20,000 to 49,999, and Tonawanda Engine was assigned the block of numbers from 50,000 to 79,999.
There is no other decodable information contained in the "CE" number; these short blocks/fitted blocks were ordered by the dealers off a chart, by part number, so the replacement's internals would match those of the failed engine (crank, rods, pistons). That part number doesn't appear anywhere on the engine - only on the paperwork on the crate it was shipped in. The only way to determine the internals of a "CE" block is to tear it down.
Flint and Tonawanda also confused the issue further by occasionally adding more numbers or letters to the stamping sequence for internal purposes, but the meaning of those occasional extra characters is unknown."
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
My CE engine has no alpha characters. the 1967 document does not reference alpha characters.
the alpha characters for month of manufacture must be something that was added after 1970, though L would be the last month in the sequence unless they avoided I due to possible confusion with 1.
Doug
the alpha characters for month of manufacture must be something that was added after 1970, though L would be the last month in the sequence unless they avoided I due to possible confusion with 1.
Doug
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 3
From: Idaho
Edward
If you are looking for a period correct looking engine (double hump head markings, ect) then rebuild your current engine, if not then a good crate engine is a good choice, they are all new and setup to run todays fuel.
Good luck
Russ
If you are looking for a period correct looking engine (double hump head markings, ect) then rebuild your current engine, if not then a good crate engine is a good choice, they are all new and setup to run todays fuel.
Good luck
Russ
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,927
From: Washington Michigan
Your "CE" number indicates a small-block replacement manufactured in 1973.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,927
From: Washington Michigan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,631
Likes: 11
From: Rocklin California
Beginning in 1970, after the engine plants used up the regular assigned blocks of "CE" numbers, they re-used the numbers again, preceded by the letter "A" to indicate late production, with a number denoting the year of manufacture between the "CE" and the "A". This practice continued until the "CE" identification ceased in the mid-70's.
Your "CE" number indicates a small-block replacement manufactured in 1973.
Your "CE" number indicates a small-block replacement manufactured in 1973.
Is there anything you don't know!
