Please Help with casting codes.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Please Help with casting codes.
I am a new member here and have been researching casting codes for few months and still unsure as to what I have besides a CE replacement engine. I own a 65 that was supplied with a 327/250 base motor. The current motor is a CE000....with a casting #3959542 and NO road draft hole in block to properly connect PCV valve from dual snorkel air cleaner. The heads and intake appear to be original to car. I believe that this is a 67 motor, but, what provisions were made for a 67 CE to be used on a Pre-67 car when no road draft hole exists. My question: Was a CE a replacement block or entire motor? I do have this motor in hand and even though non-matching numbers, I have been told that a CE is not worth rebuilding. Any thoughts from anyone? Thank You.
I will get my profile set up when I have more time.
I will get my profile set up when I have more time.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
CE engines were supplied as short blocks only and the program started in 1968 I believe, long after your car went out of warranty. If the first digit after CE on yours is 0, it was probably assembled in 1970.
The casting number is likely to be 3953512 and not 542. What's the casting date?
The casting number is likely to be 3953512 and not 542. What's the casting date?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,012
Likes: 1,520
From: Prescott Arizona
I had a CE replacement shortblock in one of my 66 Coupes and have a CE replacement shortblock in my 61 Vette. Don't know why someone would tell you to avoid a CE block as a rebuilding core because it's not true. As long as there's no core shift, no cracking and the bores have enough material to allow boring to a safe size, the CE blocks are good candidates for rebuilding. Quite a few old threads on the subject of CE blocks. One thing I'm surprised at is that you mention your CE block does not have the draft tube hole at the back. The production blocks did away with that hole starting with the 68 model year so it's likely your block isn't really a 67 vintage. Is the engine in the Vette now running poorly and that's why the question as to rebuild-ability?
Mike T.
Mike T.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Engine casting #'s
My father purchased this car in 1974 knowing that it did not have matching #'s. The gas tank leaked and I drove it until the insurance bill came...and he wasn't going to pay for a 16 yr. old kid to drive a Corvette. He parked it on blocks for his retirement project, but passed away before getting to it. The car is now mine and I would like to get the motor back to original as possible. It has been in a heated garage for the past 40 yrs. I am using the motor as a starting place in restoration. The owner prior to my father has also passed away, so I am using my mechanical ability and basically starting from scratch. I have found info. on casting #...12, but nothing on ...42, I have even checked the # 3-4 times. I had thought that I had a 67 motor, but, no, I do not have a road draft tube. The air cleaner was on, but not hooked up to any PVC. Yes, it ha a CE000...., so I could accept that it is a 1970 vintage. So, if I was to have this one rebuilt, it still does not have the road draft.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Casting date
My father purchased this car in 1974 knowing that it did not have matching #'s. The gas tank leaked and I drove it until the insurance bill came...and he wasn't going to pay for a 16 yr. old kid to drive a Corvette. He parked it on blocks for his retirement project, but passed away before getting to it. The car is now mine and I would like to get the motor back to original as possible. It has been in a heated garage for the past 40 yrs. I am using the motor as a starting place in restoration. The owner prior to my father has also passed away, so I am using my mechanical ability and basically starting from scratch. I have found info. on casting #...12, but nothing on ...42, I have even checked the # 3-4 times. I had thought that I had a 67 motor, but, no, I do not have a road draft tube. The air cleaner was on, but not hooked up to any PVC. Yes, it ha a CE000...., so I could accept that it is a 1970 vintage. So, if I was to have this one rebuilt, it still does not have the road draft.
Thanks in advance to everyone.
