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Hello group: I have just acquired my third corvette this is a 1968 Convertible , this one came from out of state and I purchased it hastily. I think overall the vehicle is pretty clean but there are a lot of mysteries I am trying to solve. First off it has a replacement VIN so I cannot track the history of the vehicle can someone point out secondary locations for VIN on a 1968. Second the engine which was supposed to be a 327/350 has a code CE3P20220 which seems to be a replacement block. Can I get any help on the engine code?
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You’ve been around awhile, but welcome on your first post. Yep, an over the counter block. VIN is stamped on the top of the frame, close to the shock absorber mounting bracket, on the drivers side. If it’s clean on top, use a good light and a mirror to see it.
The VIN is stamped on the frame in two places, both on the topside on the left. The first is on the main rail just about inline with the rear of the seat. The second is on the aft section, near the #4 mount. Both difficult to see with the body on the frame.
And even if you find it. The vin number will have almost no information. Many, many times on this forum people ask how to get history information on their cars with the VIN. Almost nothing is out there.
"CE" is Chevrolet Engine, and the "3" indicates the engine was built in 1973. The rest of the number is just a numerical serial number, and serves no other purpose. It doesn't identify the internals of the engine in anyway.
"CE" engines were introduced in 69 for use as warranty engines, though they were also sold sometimes as service replacement engines. CE engines came as complete engines, partial engines or fitted blocks. Other GM divisions warranty blocks carried similar designations, "PE" for Pontiac, "LE" for Oldsmobile, "BE" for Buick and "KE" for Cadillac, warranty transmissions replaced the "E" with a "T".
it is a VIN derivative on the frame and all you will need is the last 5 numbers ( the car's sequence number) and then we can extrapolate the original complete 13 character VIN from that.
I have found that rarely is that number decipherable from the rust on the frame from a 55 year old car/frame. I have seen this number but usually some of the characters are obliterated.
you can maybe get a vin history report that will only tell you what states it was titled in thruout some of its history. you won't get names and addresses of previous owners.
once you have the entire VIN you can do google searches and registry searches to look for database entries.
you also need the first number. that is the year. with a replacement vin it could be a total mishmash of parts. if the frame vin starts with a number other than the year on the title it is a different frame. just cuz it is the right year doesn't mean it is NOT also replaced, but... and history on any vin before 81 is a joke. there is a site you can check them on. couple actually. my 75 comes up as clean and good. but my current title is a salvage certificate...
The VIN is stamped on the frame in two places, both on the topside on the left. The first is on the main rail just about inline with the rear of the seat. The second is on the aft section, near the #4 mount. Both difficult to see with the body on the frame.
Originally Posted by ED1964
Thank you I am not sure how I can get there but will study on it maybe a mirror?
Also look at the trim tag. It will help you narrow down the vin possibilities if you are worried the frame itself was replaced. It’s also possible the transmission is original. If the transmission and frame have the same number and it coincides with the trim tag date code then it’s more than likely correct. Is the replacement vin riveted in the same spot as the original vin? Sometimes it’s riveted elsewhere and they leave the old vin in place even if it’s unreadable.
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C3 vin
