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Help with identifying engine block

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Old Jul 29, 2014 | 10:39 PM
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Default Help with identifying engine block

I recently purchased a 1966 Corvette with and I am trying to identify what engine is in it. The engine block is stamped stamped with the following numbers:

Blocking casting # 3959512
Block casting date # K84
Stamp Pad # CE5N2 68

The CE on the stamp would indicate that the block is a 1968 or later. The block casting number indicates that the block is either 1962 - 1963 or 1969 - 1973 depending on what table you look at. The casting date code would indicate that the block was cast on November, 1964. Based on the CE numbers I think I have a Chevrolet Exchange 327 block manufactured in 1968 or 1969. However, the block casting number and block casting date don't agree. Any help with a positive identification would be appreciated.
Old Jul 30, 2014 | 04:48 AM
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CE blocks where only installed in a corvette if the original block was damaged beyond repair (at the time). The 2870 blocks where used from 62 to 65 I believe the 512 blocks where cast for replacement as far back as 64

Originally Posted by vegas2125
I recently purchased a 1966 Corvette with and I am trying to identify what engine is in it. The engine block is stamped stamped with the following numbers:

Blocking casting # 3959512
Block casting date # K84
Stamp Pad # CE5N2 68

The CE on the stamp would indicate that the block is a 1968 or later. The block casting number indicates that the block is either 1962 - 1963 or 1969 - 1973 depending on what table you look at. The casting date code would indicate that the block was cast on November, 1964. Based on the CE numbers I think I have a Chevrolet Exchange 327 block manufactured in 1968 or 1969. However, the block casting number and block casting date don't agree. Any help with a positive identification would be appreciated.

Last edited by 65 Pro Vette; Jul 30, 2014 at 04:52 AM.
Old Jul 30, 2014 | 08:37 AM
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Default Block

The CE block is most likely an over the counter replacement from late 60's to early 70's.....either way, long after the original warranty expired in your 66.
Old Jul 30, 2014 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by vegas2125
I recently purchased a 1966 Corvette with and I am trying to identify what engine is in it. The engine block is stamped stamped with the following numbers:

Blocking casting # 3959512
Block casting date # K84
Stamp Pad # CE5N2 68
Cast November 8 1974
Assembled as a short block in 1975 for over the counter sale or warranty replacement.

No telling what it was first installed in or what mechanicals it might have without disassembly.
Old Jul 30, 2014 | 11:56 AM
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No 3959512 block was cast before 68.
Old Apr 8, 2022 | 05:57 PM
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can someone tell me what these numbers identify ... 3782870 on the bellhousing flange and J251 and "FIIOIS" is on the passenger side front machine plate and inside the bellhousing is H-11 with 935 on top of 870 thank you for your help
Old Apr 8, 2022 | 06:52 PM
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Start a new thread with your question.

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Old Apr 8, 2022 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by woodpile1979
can someone tell me what these numbers identify ... 3782870 on the bellhousing flange and J251 and "FIIOIS" is on the passenger side front machine plate and inside the bellhousing is H-11 with 935 on top of 870 thank you for your help
3782870 is the black casting number. The "870" block was used from model years 1962 to 1965 for 327 engines.

J251 is the block's casting date, "J" is October, "25" is the 25th day of the month and "1" is 1961. Your 870 block was cast on October 25, 1961.

F1101S is the identifier and assembly date, that was stamped on the block during assembly. "F" is the Flint MI engine plant, "11" is November "01" is the first day of the month, and "S" is the engine suffix code used to identify the engine, in this case a 1962 327/250 with a Powerglide from a 1962 full size Chevrolet.

So the engine you have is a 1962 full size Chevrolet 327/250 originally backed up by a Powerglide automatic trans, with a block cast on October 25, 1961, and assembled on November 1, 1961.

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Originally Posted by SWCDuke
Start a new thread with your question.

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Future questions are better asked by creating a new thread rather than adding them to old threads… more people will see them.

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