Restoration of engine block

[Gregory G.]

I have a 1970 corvette with a CE short block dated 1971. To get back as many points as possible I am thinking of replacing my CE block with a block with the correct date code. I found a truck block with the correct casting number with a casting date within 3 months of my build date. This will also give me the opewrtunity to detail the engine and compartment.
I know this is very controversial but I am thinking of having the block decked and stamped with the correct numbers. According to the definition of COUNTERFEIT vs. RESTORATION under the judging rules I believe this is perfectly acceptable. I am not trying to pass my car off for something it was not, just trying to restore it to its original condition.
Does anyone know of a machine shop in the NJ/PA/NY/DE area that has the proper technique for milling to produce the proper broach marks and that can stamp it correctly? Can anyone supply me with the details on the correct stamp/fonts to use on a late 1970 350/350. I could also use guidence on the sequential numbers to use on the engine code that would match the build date and casting dates.
I remember reading about a book that was published that shows details of block numbers with photos. Does anyone know where I can get it. It is not listed in the NCRS store.

Thanks

[Alan T.]

Re: Restoration of engine block

Greg, I know this in no way answers any of your questions, but if I had a late build 1970 Corvette with a CE block dated 1971 that is installed in the car, I would leave it like that. I would have to assume that the block was dealer installed as a replacement in 1971 and in my mind that is as close to "factory original" as the car can get without finding the original block. I know most folks here will disagree with me, but if it was mine, I would get more pleasure and satisfaction when I looked under the hood knowing that that block was a direct replacement under warranty that was actually installed 36 years ago by a dealer, as opposed to knowing that the block was a truck block that I had restamped to possibly receive a few more points in judging. But thats just my warped way of looking at "original" CE blocks vs. restamped ones.

[Gregory G.]

Re: Restoration of engine block

It has always been my opinion that the CE block should be more original then a block scavenged from the junk yard, but a 175 point deduction is very high. In most people's minds having a "numbers matching block" and the resulting higher point score seems to be more important. Its a shame that it works that way. I even tried to go back to the dealer for proof (not that it would do any good) but as expected they did not keep any records for something that long ago. I was pleasantly surprised that someone actually checked.
This high point deduction has influenced my decision to restore the car for judging. I am only now considering it since I want to pull the engine to paint and detail the engine and engine compartment. I figured that if I was going to do all that work I should consider swaping out the block and rebuild the engine (even though it runs good and the car only has 65K miles).
I am still in the thinking stage but figured it could not hurt to pick up a block and prep it.

[Tom S.]

Re: Restoration of engine block

Greg
Do you have the paperwork with the car stating that it was a dealer installed engine under warranty? If so I would keep that engine in the car and take the point loss.You can make some of the points up by driving it to the meet, having a fire extingusher, a decal,and a battery shut off swith.You will always know that it is not the original engine and if you are like me it will bother you.Just mho. Tom

[Michael W.]

As a compromise, think about

leaving the pad on the 'new' block just the way it is. You will full get credit for the casting number, the casting date and the pad surface appearance (broach marks).

You'll still get a deduct for the machine code (25 points) and the VIN derivative(another 25 points) but there will be no moral issues over the counterfeit/restoration issue nor worries that the restorer was not able to replicate the broach marks or stamps correctly. Very few restorations get all three items correct.

To put it in perspective, a perfect VIN and machine code is worth the same as two burnt light bulbs during an operations check.

Put your CE block in storage for the next owner.

[Jim T.]

Re: Restoration of engine block

I have a 70 Corvette with a CE block. My original owner 70's engine was destroyed within a few minutes after I left the dealership. My replacement CE engine block casting date meets judging criteria as well as the block casting number. The stamping on the engine pad is the only point loss area so I am not going to change blocks or restamp for judging if I ever do that. Check the 70 Corvette registary for a 70 near your build date and see if you can get the information you need to restamp. If you have the warranty metal plate for your 70 it will have some stamping information for your 350/350. You could likely end up paying someone that says they can deck a block and give you the original broach mark finish, but will it pass judging? Getting a car ready for judging, the money may be put to better use to gain points in other areas.

[Gregory G.]

Re: Restoration of engine block

No
I am the third owner. The person I purchased the car from said he would give me the name of the first owner but never came through. I tried a vin search through the DMV but they did not turn up anything. As stated above I contacted the dealer and they tried to look but did not keep paperwork that old.

[Gregory G.]

Re: Restoration of engine block

You were real lucky that the casting date was OK. Mine is 8 months after the build date of the car.
I will probably pick up the block and hold onto it while I think it over. I will probably never find a block with the proper engine suffix and casting date. That is too much to ask for.

[Gregory G.]

Re: As a compromise, think about

That might be a reasonable approach. Is there any benifit in keeping the CE block? It is probably worth more to someone that needs that casting date.

[Joe C.]

PUT A 454 IN IT!!! *NM*