CE engine code meaning?

[Dan H.]

Hi All, can some one decode the CE engine, I believe it came from a 1964 Corvette.
Pad: CE 4N34648
date casting: B214
Casting number on block: 3959512

Couldn't find archives on this, curious as to what this breaks down to!
Thanks!
Dan

[Louie C.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

Dan, I always heard the "CE" meant it was an over-the-counter engine/block, also used as a warranty replacement.
I have a '69 396/375 HP engine that was an over-the-counter purchase.

[Mike M.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

Hi Dan,
Looks like a warranty replacement
WOW, with that casting date, the original engine expired rather quickly.
Actually, there was a thread about a month or so ago that explained your question in great detail.
HaND

[Dan H.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

Thanks Louie, Mike, tried to find link to article but nothin yet! Vaguely remember it but ofcourse can't find it now. Who was the author? Thanks,
Dan

[John H.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

Hi All, can some one decode the CE engine, I believe it came from a 1964 Corvette.
Pad: CE 4N34648
date casting: B214
Casting number on block: 3959512Dan

That was originally a 5/50 warranty replacement short block, although not for your car - the block was cast on February 21, 1964, and the short block was assembled at Flint V-8 sometime during 1974, near the end of the 5/50 liability period. The 3959512 block was used almost exclusively for service replacement.

[Mike M.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

Whoa, I see what you mean, Dan.
Tried the archives and could not get past "GO", Or, even find the "GO" square.
I seem to remember there once was a "Key Word" box with which to begin the search, oh well...
Hand

[Dan H.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

That was originally a 5/50 warranty replacement short block, although not for your car - the block was cast on February 21, 1964, and the short block was assembled at Flint V-8 sometime during 1974, near the end of the 5/50 liability period. The 3959512 block was used almost exclusively for service replacement.

John, did you mean it was cast Feb 21, 74? When was the 5/50 warranty used, what years? When were the '512' blocks used? It was a short block, did that include heads, pan, etc.? Thanks, my curiousity is about CE blocks is how little I know about them and Chevy warranty procedures in general. Thanks again,
Dan

[Kenneth B.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

John, did you mean it was cast Feb 21, 74? When was the 5/50 warranty used, what years? When were the '512' blocks used? It was a short block, did that include heads, pan, etc.? Thanks, my curiousity is about CE blocks is how little I know about them and Chevy warranty procedures in general. Thanks again,
Dan

I am sure that it was a typeo. 64 not 74. It was a short block & they used all the parts off the original that they could. Remember we beat the hell out of the engines in the day & with the 50,000 MI. warranty what the hell. We also unhooked the spedo so that the 50,000 mi didn't come till after 5 years which we never kept that long.
KEN

[Michael W.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

I am sure that it was a typeo. 64 not 74.

I don't think the 5/50 warranty with the CE engine designation existed in 1964.

[Dan H.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

I don't think the 5/50 warranty with the CE engine designation existed in 1964.

Michael, I'm beginning to think this engine wasn't a 64 warranty but a 74 over counter replacement engine/short block. Wonder when the 'CE' engines made their appearance?
Dan

[William C.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

5 & 50 warranty started in '67 I believe for Corvette That would exclude warranty for the '64. Likely a shortblock purchase I think las 5-50 year was '70. It's in the previous discussion if the archive search is working.

[Bill I.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

DISCONNECT A SPEEDO? No never happened. Never, well.... but not by me. Hands to big to reach the damm cable. Bill.

[Tom L.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

It is interesting to hear talk of the mysterious CE blocks. I have one and can only "assume" it's history based on the other engine components in my 72.
1. The car's build date was in Oct '71, the heads were cast on the same day in september of that year, the intake and exaust manifold were cast september of that year, the carburator based on it's numbers was a service replacement manufactired in early '72. All of the listed parts are the correct castings.
2. The block is the correct #3999289 casting, cast in August of '72. In addition to the CE number on the dash pad, the engine's build date, early October '71, and engine code (CSS) were crudely stamped into it. I have read that it was not umcommon for dealers to stamp this info into the block after making a short block warranty replacemet.

What do you think??

[Mike M.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

OK Lynn, I'll chime in.
Really nothing "Mysterious" about the CE Block.
I've owned two and have seen a dozen or so. Mostly '67 L-79's.
Since these also had M-21's and 3:70 or 4:11 posi's, I'm assuming they were ordered purpose specifc, the best bang for the buck, being picked up at the dealer on Saturday and then off to the drag strip on Sunday.
Obviously some blocks were destined for a short life span.
To me, the axiom still holds true, never buy a car out of warranty. Especially, a foreign car.
HaND

[Cecil L.]

Re: CE engine code meaning?

This has been discussed previously. The CE warranty engine program began in late 68, I believe. The 3959512 casting was the small journal 327 block, the 3959532 was the 283 replacement block, the 3959534 was the replacement for the Chevy II/Nova with the recessed oil filter, and the 3959538 was the 327 replacement for the Chevy II/Nova 327 block. Since the small journal engines were no longer used in production vehicles, GM cast these replacement castings for service.

Quoting from a Chevrolet Dealer Service Information Bulletin dated 14 April, 1969:

The first letter will designate the GM division which produced the engine. C-Chevrolet L-Oldsmobile K-Cadillac B-Buick P-Pontiac

The second letter will designate the type of unit "E" engine or "T" transmission. The number following the letter will designate the model year "9" for 1969. The last five digits specify the service replacement unit sequence number. The group of numbers to be used by Chevrolet manufacturing plants [for engines, CRG] are as follows:

Flint motor plant (L-6 engines) 00001 to 19999
Flint V-8 engine plant 20000 to 49999
Tonowanda motor plant 50000 to 79999

Example: Number CE900175 designates Chevrolet engine - 1969 year, and the 175th unit produced for service at the Flint motor plant.

This numbering system applies to service engine assemblies, partial engines, fitted cylinder cases, cylinder cases, transmission assemblies and transmission cases.

The reference further states that all Hydra-Matic transmissions are coded "H" regardless of division produced for.