Thinking about a 1971 convertible, but it has what the owner states is a warranty replacement engine (CE). This would be my first corvette.

The replacement engine does not bother me really. I just don't know:

1) How much it affects the value of the car, for purchase and later resale value.

2) How to tell that it's really a warranty / dealer replacement engine?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

If it doesnt bother you it wont bother someone else who really likes the car down the road
Put what you want in it and enjoy lots of thos emotors were replaced/blown over the yrs.

The #s guys will only look at #s cars I say it doesnt matter there are plenty of buyers for both

 

Welcome to the forum.

It effects the value in that a similar car with all things being equal will be worth more with the born with engine. Many buyers want the born with engine. Period. It does not matter if its a warranty engine or a previous owner installed his own engine, what matters is its not original and in percentages its probably somewhere around a 30% decrease in value under an original drivetrain car.

In terms of resale, it will not effect anything as long as you do not overpay now. Many buyers don't care about non original engines. But they will NOT pay original engine prices for a "replacement" engine. Non original drivetrain cars seem to increase in value at the same rate as original drivetrain cars.

And there are always exceptions, this is just a general opinion. Some people may just like a particular car, you never know, but generally what I said above normally applies.

Warranty CE engines just have a number after the CE. Nothing stamped to let anyone identify it for anything but the fact that it is a replacement engine. someone can take any CE block and put it in any car and say its the factory replacement as long as its correct for what the car is. But there is no advantage to doing that. There is no special way to know if it really was the replacement for this car without some form of factory documentation saying so. It doesn't matter, its not original, so if the price is right and everything else looks good, buy it and have fun.

Good luck

 

VetteGuy,

Welcome!!!
I purchased a '68, BB in 2011 w/ a CE427 replacement block.
Tank sticker shows it to be an original BB car.
The top end, heads, intake dates are correct from the original built/installed engine.
The block should predate the build date not the other way around.
However; if you blew it up in 1970 it would be covered under the 5 year/ 50,000 mile warranty. GM must have lost their shirt during this period?
Then you may have a late 69 casting date or even early 70?
I have no proof my short block was a dealer install but it looks to
have been done right.
Hell, I can't even find a picture of the selling dealership anywhere let alone my service record history PS: these are often faked on high end/rarer cars. NCRS certifications etc... awarded to other cars. Be careful with documentation accompanying any car.

As stated in the above thread you make your appreciation at the time of the purchase.
Do not over pay. Do not buy the story, buy the car.
I'm not concerned if Peter Fonda drove it home from Wood Stock.
Check the frame and fiberglass body very very well 1st.
Bring another set of eyes.
I have a no hit body with original paint and a rust free frame with a replacement block.
I'd take this scenario, as I drive it all the time, with a replacement
engine over a matching numbers car that may have been hit and now has a bad repaint and rusty frame.
Ask allot of ?'s first its too late after the purchase which I see from time to time here from forum members.
Start asking pre purchase ?'s before you find yourself asking buyers remorse type ?'s after the purchase.
It's too late at that point you own it.
As Wayne Carrini says if you really like the car just buy it.
Hope to have provided some helpful input.
Marshal

 

Hi VG,
I think Marshal makes an important point.
In many cases just the block was replaced at the dealership, not the entire engine, so the majority of the rest of the engine's parts were moved from the damaged block to the new block.
It's certainly possible to have a CE block with a casting number appropriate for the car and even possible to have one with an appropriate casting date.
I think that this is important to consider in determining what type of buyer might be interested in this car and what he perceives it's VALUE as.
In Flight Judging, a car with a replacement block, RELATIVELY few points are assigned to the engine block itself.
Everyone makes their own determination of how important it is to them that the car they buy have it's original engine in it.
Regards,
Alan

 

A warranty replacement is worth no more than any other replacement engine. But as Alan said a CE block would probably have most of the other parts off the original one.

 

It only matters what you want. I bought my 72 with the intention of building what I wanted and didn't care about it being original. The entire suspension is after market and rides a lot better. The motor, 383 stroker crate motor. Love it! I've had some real good offers from people who don't care about how original it is. They want a good looking C-3 vette that drives and rides well. But, I'm Not Selling!

 

If you like the car buy it. Don't buy it for resale 10 years down the road. Buy it and enjoy it.

I just bought a 72 that originally was a BB car. It had a 327 in. So I am returning it to BB status with a 502. But I will try to have it look stock.