CE Replacement Block

[Noel O'Reilly]

How does one identify a CE replacement big block??

[Joe L.]

Re: CE Replacement Block

Noel-----


"CE" replacement engines are identified by a stamping on the engine pad(located on the block extension in front of the right side cylinder head). For "CE" replacement engines, you will find a stamped code with the prefix "CE". Other replacement engines of more recent vintage may not use the "CE" code, but are still replacement engines. These may have no codes at all stamped on the pad, or may have other coding configurations distinctly different from original type stampings.

[Noel O.]

Re: CE Replacement Block

Joe,


Thanks for the response. If a block is a CE replacement, will the casting number corespond to a regular production casting number. For example any of the castings listed in Alan Colvin's book.


Thanks again for the help!!


Noel

[Joe L.]

Re: CE Replacement Block

Noel----


No, it may very well NOT be the same as the original casting number. In fact, there is one "mystery block" casting number which has previously been discussed at length on this forum and is seen on many 327 "CE" engines. Seems like it is 3959512 or such. That casting number is not even covered in Colvin's book, although they were manufactured originally about 1969. I believe that it is not in the book due to the fact that this casting number was never used on a PRODUCTION passenger car application.

[Noel O.]

Re: CE Replacement Block

Joe,


Thanks again. What prompted the question was research I am doing on a car (68 L-89) with a 3916321 block and casting date of A128. I have gotten in touch with a previous owner of the car who feels (but is unsure) that the engine may have been blown and replaced with factory CE at some point during its life. Given the casting number, casting date and their proximity to the the enging assembly date of 208 and build date G22, is it possible that the dates could line up so well with a CE replacement?


If anyone else cares to respond, please do


Noel

[Joe L.]

Re: CE Replacement Block

Noel-----


Yes, it's very possible. If the engine failed very soon after the original owner took delivery, a replacement engine could easily have had casting dates/numbers very similar to the original engine. SERVICE engines are typically manufactured on the same assembly line as PRODUCTION engines. Instead of going to the vehicle assembly line, they go into the SERVICE parts system and, usually, are "pulled out" quickly. So, if an engine failed very early in the life of the car, the SERVICE engines could be dated/numbered very similar to the original.