Question on CE Block
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 228
Likes: 67
From: Kennewick WA
Question on CE Block
Hey all,
I'm looking at a 73 Vette that has a CE block and I'm trying to find info on how to decode it. The stamp shows CE 7P2756728 C G. Anyone got ideas? I recall researching that the first digit 7 may indicate the year as in 1977? The VIN shows a T for the 5th character so the original block should have been an L82 4 bolt main engine. The console shows 9.0 to 1 compression ratio.
Any help would be appreciated.
I'm looking at a 73 Vette that has a CE block and I'm trying to find info on how to decode it. The stamp shows CE 7P2756728 C G. Anyone got ideas? I recall researching that the first digit 7 may indicate the year as in 1977? The VIN shows a T for the 5th character so the original block should have been an L82 4 bolt main engine. The console shows 9.0 to 1 compression ratio.
Any help would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Beyond decoding the first digit, 7 for 1977, not much is known about CE engines. It may or may not have been installed in this car for warranty purposes at the time or may have come from some other car or truck more recently.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
My "decoding" of that block is that it is NOT the one that came with the car from the factory. Since that is the case, the stampings on the block mean absolutely nothing. Treat (and price) that car as you would any other C3 which had the engine replaced.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Huh? Who said that?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Irma Northern WI
If you purchase an original low production car and the motor has an issue that requires GM to replace that engine under warranty, Keep the documentation. It will be judged as original but replaced. I have never heard anyone contest that! Keep the documentation from GM. That is the key! Many L-88s have CE blocks as well as early Z28s with the 302. If the replacement is documented it is as original. If that was not the case, owners would lawyer up and get a free car if the engine fails early! My Z06 had a door module replaced under warranty, I guess it is not original anymore.
Last edited by roadblock69; Feb 12, 2013 at 05:17 PM. Reason: spelling error corrected
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Irma Northern WI
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
1) NCRS doesn't authenticate engines or stamp pads.
2) The judging standard is typical of factory production as delivered to the first owner.
Never heard of a car being delivered to the first owner with a replacement engine in it, never mind it being typical.
An engine with an incorrect stamp pad (for any reason) gets about the same minor deduction as as a burnt out taillamp or a non-functioning cigar lighter, so you'll have find someone else to blame for counterfeiting.
2) The judging standard is typical of factory production as delivered to the first owner.
Never heard of a car being delivered to the first owner with a replacement engine in it, never mind it being typical.
An engine with an incorrect stamp pad (for any reason) gets about the same minor deduction as as a burnt out taillamp or a non-functioning cigar lighter, so you'll have find someone else to blame for counterfeiting.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Nothing wrong with CE engines
The warranties at that time was 50K or 5 years ...whatever came first to the original owner only...no third party contracts...As to considered original I have no information, But during those years numbers meant nothing and to get a new crate CE for nothing I can see why its or was better than original, The original had to be junk or the write up man a very good friend to be replaced...therefore a NEW engine would be ideal rather than a numbers whatever worn out junk engine......also perfect time to pay the difference for a upgrade....L88 maybe! .....
such a transaction in upgrades have been known to happen ...{L-88}......
/
such a transaction in upgrades have been known to happen ...{L-88}......
/
Last edited by Ironcross; Feb 12, 2013 at 08:18 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
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From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Now does this help the value? Absolutely not; it's still a NOM car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
afraid i don't have the documentation but that was the story i got from the second owner when i purchased the car. he bought it as a barn find and the original owner blew a rod when the car was under warranty. he sold it because after he blew the engine he no longer liked driving it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 228
Likes: 67
From: Kennewick WA
Additional Info on 73 Vette
Hi all, I've got some additional detail on the engine numbers (btw, I bought the car, Woo Hoo!, back in the saddle again!). The engine stamp is actually CE 7P27567 which are deep and evenly spaced, then there's what looks like a manual stamp 028CFC with the leading character "0 "being stamped over the last character "7" of the factory(?) stamp. Also the casting number is 3959512 and the date code is H57. It's got the cast intake and Rochester 4Bl, what looks like stock exhaust, etc. Fairly clean original looking car.
Anyone got an idea what engine it might be?
Anyone got an idea what engine it might be?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 60
From: CA
The 3959512 casting was mainly used for warranty/service, though it did have very limited production usage in 69 engines. It's a 4" bore block, so it could have been built as a 302, 327 or 350. The only way to tell would be to look at the crank flange.
Ed
Ed