When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The current engine in my 1964 coupe was reportedly a 350ci counter purchase made sometime in the 80’s to replace the original 365hp 327. I’m pulling the engine this week, and took this picture of the stamp pad. I can get the block casting once the engine is out, but what information does this stamp share?
I believe your engine translates to the 18,979th (68979 – 50000) service replacement unit made at the Tonawanda Motor Plant in 1968.
The “CE” program started in 1968 to identify warranty and service replacement blocks. "CE" is for Chevrolet Engine, followed by a number for the year of manufacture, and a five-digit engine plant sequence number. Nothing in that sequence number has anything to do with the engine's mechanical configuration. The stamping won't tell you anything except the year it was made and the engine plant it came from.
Here is some reference material from my notes.
It's been reported that beginning in 1970, if more engines were needed at a given plant in a year than the range of sequence numbers allotted, the plant would re-use the numbers using the letter "A" after the "CE" and year designation. For example, Tonawanda was assigned the sequence range of 50,000 to 79,999 so if more engines were required the numbering would start over again at 50,000 but the "CE" prefix would become "CExA" where 'x' is the year such as CE0A50000.
It is believed this method of identifying replacement engines stopped after the 1975 model year. This is supported by a notation in a 1976 dated Chevrolet parts book, "The engine plants are to stamp the serial pad of all current model service engines with the source, production date, and same type designation as stamped on a comparable production engine."
Last edited by Mike67nv; Feb 13, 2019 at 08:24 PM.
Engine block stamp question
