Replacement engine numbers match?
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From: Orem UT
Replacement engine numbers match?
I have had a 1965 roadster since 1975 that we are rebuilding from the frame up as a father-son project. The engine is NOM, however the engine deck stamp is CE8 25352, the block casting no. is 3892657, and the block date code is H 28 7. The distributor no. is 1111087. Am I correct in the following: the engine is a replacement 327 manufactured August 28, 1967, with a 1965 327 350 hp distributor? If this is accurate, it seems somewhat probable that the original engine was a 327/350, and was replaced (under warranty??) in 1967, perhaps with the original distributor. Assuming this is true, would this Corvette be considered some sort of a "numbers matching" vehicle? If so, I will re-install this engine and scuttle our plans to put a 1994 LT-1 with aluminum heads into the car. Also, what is the decode of the engine stamping? Thanks in advance.
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
I can't decipher all your numbers, as I don't have my books in front of me. I can say that the original block for 65 should be an "870" casting, not a 657.
The 657 block was used beginning in 66 and was also used in 67.
The CE 8 XXX designates a replacement engine. The CE stands for ANY of the following: Chevrolet Engine, Crate Engine, Counter (as in parts counter) Engine. The 8 designates the year. The other numbers are internal Chevrolet reference numbers for that particular block.
It was cast H 28 7, which is August 28 of 1967. It very well could be a factory warranty motor. I'm not sure when the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty came into effect from GM, but if it was in effect then, if could have been a warranty replacement.
It's not the original motor for your car, and couldn't be considered a matching number motor, but if you could document the factory replacement, it "SORT OF" adds a bit of legitimacy to your replacement motor. Chuck
The 657 block was used beginning in 66 and was also used in 67.
The CE 8 XXX designates a replacement engine. The CE stands for ANY of the following: Chevrolet Engine, Crate Engine, Counter (as in parts counter) Engine. The 8 designates the year. The other numbers are internal Chevrolet reference numbers for that particular block.
It was cast H 28 7, which is August 28 of 1967. It very well could be a factory warranty motor. I'm not sure when the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty came into effect from GM, but if it was in effect then, if could have been a warranty replacement.
It's not the original motor for your car, and couldn't be considered a matching number motor, but if you could document the factory replacement, it "SORT OF" adds a bit of legitimacy to your replacement motor. Chuck
Burning Brakes
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From: Frederick Md
Put the 94 motor in, that will make a super nice driver 
Since the motor is not NOM material and no matter what you can document it will never please the corvette snobs, just have some fun with the car. Just think, you won't need a trailer for the Queen, you can drive it, what a concept
Since the motor is not NOM material and no matter what you can document it will never please the corvette snobs, just have some fun with the car. Just think, you won't need a trailer for the Queen, you can drive it, what a concept
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From: Clayton NC
The LT-1 would be nice in there. FWIW I have an NOM 327 in mine but unless you pull the numbers it looks correct. It really depends on what you want. Do you want Correct or Restomod. You have a win/win situation... Dave..
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From: Washington Michigan
The 657 block was used for many applications from '65-'67, and as a service replacement for several years after that. Your "CE" number indicates that the block was furnished as a 5/50 warranty replacement, built at Flint Engine during 1968 from an August, 1967 casting. "CE" replacements were furnished as short blocks, with the bolt-on parts to be re-used from the failed engine. The casting numbers and dates on the heads might be a clue to whether it was a replacement for that car or whether it was transplanted later from another car. 
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From: Orem UT
Thanks everyone -- any other information?
Thanks for the responses. Any other pieces of information? I drove the car virtually everyday, rain, snow or otherwise, from 1975 until it was hit lightly on the right rear wheel in 1990. Even if it were a numbers matching vehicle, I would drive it as much as possible after we restore it. I don't relate to the philosophy of not driving a vehicle because it may have some special value. My only hesitation is the lack of modern safety equipment -- the steering column is like a spear, no three point seatbelt system, no knee bolster, let alone side impact countermeasures. This won't stop me, but I look back on more than 15 years of daily driving and consider myself fortunate that I survived unscathed. For anyone interested, I do have some ideas and plans for upgrading the safety of the vehicle that would be purely bolt-on so that the a C2 can be returned to a previous condition. Thanks again.
