CE block

[D S.]

What exactly are CE blocks and how do they affect the value of Corvettes that have them installed?

Thanks,
Scott Sims
Texas Chapter

[John H.]

Re: CE block

What exactly are CE blocks and how do they affect the value of Corvettes that have them installed?

Scott -

Most "CE"-stamped blocks were replacements furnished under the 5/50 powertrain warranty that started in 1967. If a buyer is looking for an original-engine car, that would impact the value; many others wouldn't care.

[D S.]

Re: CE block

Thanks. I recently got an email from a Corvette owner who said he recently bought an older Corvette with a CE block from the original owner who told him about the engine warranty. The new owner wanted to know if the CE block would decrease the value of his car or would the engine still be considered original. I'm not familiar with CE blocks. What does CE stand for?

[Michael G.]

Re: CE block

Believe the acronym stood for "counter exchange". Others may have a different spin.

[D S.]

Re: CE block

Thanks. I always wondered but never thought to ask. Were they stamped like originals such as the VIN and build date?

[Michael G.]

Re: CE block

Keep in mind these were replacement blocks or engines for warranty purposes. When CE block /engine was used there no way to know where or which vehicle it would be installed. No VINs or build dates were assigned that I've seen. In the case of my 1968 Z-28 which had a CE engine installed in February 1971, most all useable parts were moved from the original engine over to replacement engine. No VIN or build date on block.

[Robert G.]

Re: CE block

CE stands for Chevrolet Engine. A transmission replaced under warranty would be stamped CT for Chevrolet Transmission. John Hinckley has gone into it in some detail somewhere in the archives.

[D S.]

Re: CE block

I suppose I can understand why CE blocks could cast a pall over an otherwise restored or nice original vehicle. For the uninformed it could make or break a purchase or sale. Like John Hinckley said, "If a buyer is looking for an original-engine car, that would impact the value; many others wouldn't care." To some it's almost like a CE block is considered worse than a restamped engine when, in fact, it was replaced under warranty. Things happen and that is what warranties are for. Too bad owners weren't given the choice to retain the original engine blocks.
Are the CE blocks stamped in some way to identify them as CE?

[Michael W.]

Re: CE block

The stamp pad has a code starting with CExxxxxx , which is why they're called CE engines.

These engines engines were also sold over the counter as replacements to whomever wanted one for whatever purpose, not just bone fide warranty replacements.

Since a CE cannot be tied to a given car except possibly by paperwork and it is NOT the engine installed by GM in St. Louis, no special credit is given in Flight Judging.

[D S.]

Re: CE block

I assume the xxxxxx is the part number assigned to each CE block. Interesting. I didn't know CE blocks were that easily obtained. Are they still available as CEs? Wouldn't a CE block get deducted originality points at NCRS judging?

[Michael W.]

Re: CE block

The first digit of the xxxxxxx is usually the year of manufacture, ie '8' for 1968 etc. The digits/letters after that are sequential serial numbers. There is no known method of decoding the numbers into something meaningful.

Replacement engines can still be purchased from GM, but the CE markings on the stamp pad ceased somewhere in the 70s I believe.

Normal judging rules apply to CE engines, no special credit as noted above.

[Jack H.]

Re: CE block

There are other translations like 'crate engine'...

[John H.]

Re: CE block

Wouldn't a CE block get deducted originality points at NCRS judging?

Scott -

Yes. Normal block judging applies. If the casting number isn't typical, a 350-point deduction is taken and judging stops. If the casting number is typical and the casting date isn't, a 175-point deduction is taken and judging stops. 99% of the time, neither is typical on a "CE" block.

I have a "CE" block in my '69 Z/28 - the original went out in a blaze of glory (including one cylinder head) in June, 1970. All the other externals were transferred from the original engine.

[D S.]

Re: CE block

Thanks to all for the insight and information about CE blocks. For years I had seen references to CE blocks and knew they were replacements but outside of that I didn't know the other circumstances.

[Jim T.]

Re: CE block

Scott here is some factual information on a CE engine that was installed in my 1970 Corvette I bought new in Terrell, TX from the dealerships showroom floor August 18,1970.
The CE engine was installed because of lack of oil pressure destroying the original engine within a few miles and only minutes of leaving the dealership and under very normal driving, no hot rodding. I did not get my new 70 back for almost two weeks.
Installed CE engine was short block only.
Front pad is stamped CEOA 47538. Block casting #3970010. Block casting date is D0260.
My POP shows the original blown engine front pad would of had V0702CTG.

From what I understand, if I were having my 1970 judged I would only lose points for the front pad even though the block is not original since the block casting number is correct and the block casting date is within the 6 months of the build date of July 1970.

My CE block was delivered unpainted. I was so glad to get my 1970 Corvette after it was repaired that I did not notice that the short block was not painted by the dealership. Even today the short block is unpainted. More judging points loss.