Vin #'s ?

[Tom S.]

How many if any C 2'S came out with no vin stamped on the engine pad? Just curious I saw one advertised and I have never seen one with no vin that I can remember. Tom

[Tom H.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

Unless I've missed something. I'm going to say none left the factory in a car unstamped. Never know though. John might be able to tell us stories........................................... ..........

[Tom S.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

That is what I thought. There is one for sale on one of the leading web sites that has no vin but the other stamping is on the pad. Strange huh?

[Robert G.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

Depending on the casting dates and the engine build date, it could be an over the counter short block- not under warranty when replaced.

[Tom S.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

Cast date K 8 6 and stamp pad reads F0317HT ! November 66 ? March 17th? If this is correct I think there might be something rotten in Alabama and it ain't da cheese! Tom

[Tom L.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

Correct me if I'm wrong, a warranty or over the counter block should have a CE# on it, yes? As far as the engine's build date/engine code goes that could have been added by anyone. My CE block's casting date is less than 1 year newer than my car's build date and the dealer (I'm assuming that the dealer did this under warranty) stamped the engine's origional build date/engine code was stamped onto the deck. It is sloppily done and nearly half is under the head.

[Tom S.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

I thought all warranty blocks were stamped CE as well. Who was it that stamped the blocks CE, the dealer or at the factory? Tom

[Robert G.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

The CE stamping didn't start until 1969, so I guess there are a couple of reasons why an engine wouldn't have the serial numbers. I think Flint and Tonawanda would have had control over the CE stamping.

1. Over the counter long block
2. Warranty replacement engine before 1969
3. ?

[John H.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

Replacement Service short-blocks weren't pad-stamped, as their application suffix wasn't known. "CE" 5/50 replacement short-blocks only had the "CE" number stamping. Complete replacement engines were available through Service while they were still in production, and they were stamped with the engine plant machine code stamp, but had no VIN derivative stamp; that's probably what this one is.

[Tom S.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

Thanks John good answer. The car is supposed to be original! So that is probably what happened. Tom

[Robert G.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

Replacement Service short-blocks weren't pad-stamped, as their application suffix wasn't known. "CE" 5/50 replacement short-blocks only had the "CE" number stamping. Complete replacement engines were available through Service while they were still in production, and they were stamped with the engine plant machine code stamp, but had no VIN derivative stamp; that's probably what this one is.

John,
Does that mean there were no CE long blocks produced?

[John H.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

John,
Does that mean there were no CE long blocks produced?

That's correct - "CE"'s were supplied either as short-blocks or as "fitted" blocks (pistons only). All other bolt-on parts were to be transferred from the failed engine, or ordered separately.

When my '69 Z/28 engine went out in a blaze of glory in May, 1970, one of the heads went with it; it has the "CE" short-block with an original 186 head on one side, and a '70-dated 186 head on the other side that they had to order. All the other bolt-on parts are original.

[Cecil L.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

That's correct - "CE"'s were supplied either as short-blocks or as "fitted" blocks (pistons only). All other bolt-on parts were to be transferred from the failed engine, or ordered separately.

When my '69 Z/28 engine went out in a blaze of glory in May, 1970, one of the heads went with it; it has the "CE" short-block with an original 186 head on one side, and a '70-dated 186 head on the other side that they had to order. All the other bolt-on parts are original.

John,
On the short blocks, there must have been different part numbers for the appropriate piston/cam configuration, even though there was no suffix code. My 67 Nova has a 69 cast CE shortblock in the L-79 configuration with high compression pistons, 151 cam and 8 inch balancer /timing cover. The original engine was the 275 hp L-30 and I suspect the engine was replaced under warranty and the owner upgraded to the L-79 replacement CE shortblock....not sure if it would have included the 8 inch balancer or not, but it did have the proper timing cover and drilled crank.

[David L.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

Is there a partial VIN stamped on the driver's side of the block near the oil filter? My 1970 Camaro SS350 (from Tonowanda) has the partial VIN stamped near the oil filter. It is not easy to read because the area is not machined. My 1970 Camaro assembly manual (UPC 6, sheet A2) shows two locations for the partial VIN to be stamped on the block. I can not find a similar page in my 1966 Corvette assembly manual for this partial VIN stamping. The 1968 Corvette assembly manual (UPC 6, sheet A1) only shows one location for the partial VIN stamping.

[John H.]

Re: Vin #'s ?

John,
On the short blocks, there must have been different part numbers for the appropriate piston/cam configuration, even though there was no suffix code.

Cecil -

That's correct - the "CE" short blocks were ordered by part number from a chart based on the specific application so the innards would be correct for that application. Unfortunately, that part number only appeared on the shipping paperwork and on the crate it came in, not anywhere on the engine.