CE block 65 - 396

[Harry L.]

I am looking at a 65 with a - 396/425 . It has a CE block in it. Is this block any less quality then an original block? And did they have CE blocks in 65. I was told they started using them in 68. I just need the lowdown on this block. It is a frame off car. And the rest of the car is a #'s car. But does this CE make the value less?

Harry

[Joe L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

I am looking at a 65 with a - 396/425 . It has a CE block in it. Is this block any less quality then an original block? And did they have CE blocks in 65. I was told they started using them in 68. I just need the lowdown on this block. It is a frame off car. And the rest of the car is a #'s car. But does this CE make the value less?

Harry

Harry-----

I do not recall just when the CE engine program began but it should be in the archives here somewhere.

Is the engine any less quality than an original engine? No, not at all. It might even be better.

Does a CE engine make the value of the car less? Yes, in the vast majority of the cases, it does, just like any other replacement engine.

What is the casting number and casting date of the block you have? These can be found on the top of the bellhousing flange and can be seen by looking down behind the rear of the cylinder heads.

[Harry L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

I will get them. I haven't purchased the car yet. I am debateing over this. I will get them and post them tomorrow.

Thanks: Harry

[Tracy C.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Harry, you might also want to post the approx VIN range of the car. It may be too early to have originally come with the big block. I'm not sure when in the 65 model year the Big Blocks were first availible, but it is in the archives.

Needless to say, if it is too early you can be sure this is a made up car.

tc

[Harry L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Thanks Tracy

I emailed the seller for the numbers. Lets see what happens. I will let you know what I come up with. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

Respectfully: Harry

[Wayne M.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Harry, you might also want to post the approx VIN range of the car. It may be too early to have originally come with the big block. I'm not sure when in the 65 model year the Big Blocks were first availible, but it is in the archives....

Speaking of early '65 BB's, did anyone see that very early [empty] '65 differential carrier on eBay (thumbnails below) ? Cast K264 (Nov 26th 1964), assembly FA_12_17_64 (3.70 posi, big block output yokes, December 17th). Gotta be for one of the first production 396's. I always thought Bill Mock's # 12864 was the first regular production, built Friday March 19th 1965. Does anybody know the powertrain/driveline castings/stampings ?

[Carl N.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Agree with Wayne & Joe

As of last summer Mock still had the '65 Coupe for sale and IMO still the earliest documented 65 396.

Nothing wrong with a CE block from mechanical standpoint.

IMO the CE blocks became available beginning in April for warrant purposes and over the counter shortblocks and longblocks. Most of the CE blocks I've run across over the past 40 + years have May to June Cast dates.

I've encountered the CE's in El Caminos, Chevelles, Camaros and yes a few vettes including one '66 Silver BB coupe in El Paso with 427/435 tripower setup!

Value - all depends on what you intend to do with it. IMO a real 396 with a CE block would be worth a bit more than a built SB car - Just IMO

Save the Wave,
Carl

[Michael W.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

IMO the CE blocks became available beginning in April for warrant purposes and over the counter shortblocks and longblocks.

April of which year Carl?

[Carl N.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Sorry - April 1965 - most of the ones I've seen were 2 nd week of May 1965

If Elmer is on line he may have some input on this

Carl

[Robert G.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Maybe John Hinckley will chime in, but I believe he has posted here before that blocks didn't start getting stamped with CE until 1968 or 1969.

[Harry L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Hi guys I got the vin # it is 194375S112570
Casting # 3902406
He said it is a 67 block that is a warrenty block which is within the 2 year limit? I don't know what he means by this. I wouls appreciate any input.

Thanks: Harry Lombardo

[Joe L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Hi guys I got the vin # it is 194375S112570
Casting # 3902406
He said it is a 67 block that is a warrenty block which is within the 2 year limit? I don't know what he means by this. I wouls appreciate any input.

Thanks: Harry Lombardo

Harry-----


GM #3902406 is a 1967 396 block. It could have been a warranty replacement engine. The "2 year limit" that the owner is referring to is probably the warranty period. However, I just do not recall what the warranties were in 1965. It might have been 2 years or 24,000 miles.

No matter, though. It does not matter one iota whether the engine was a warranty replacement, or not. That's totally irrelevant. A warranty replacement engine does not confer a "higher status" than any other sort of replacement engine. I think what the owner is trying to imply is that if it has a warranty replacement 396 engine, then it must have been an original L-78 car because Chevrolet would not have warranty replaced a 396 into, say, an original small block car. However, we don't really know that this was a warranty replacement engine, at all.

What matters here is that the block is not original to the car, has a casting number and date which is not correct for the car, and, therefore, must have a stamp pad which has no correct stampings on it. All of those things represent NEGATIVES in the world of NCRS or NCCB judging and, consequently, represent negatives as far as value is concerned.

As far as the VIN goes, it shows that this car was built sometime in mid-March, 1965. I believe that's before the earliest known 1965 L-78 was built. It's not impossible that it could have been an original L-78 car but I very much doubt it.

Are there any stampings, at all, on the engine stamp pad?

[Carl N.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

harry,

3902406 -396 -67 Chevelle 2 & 4 Bolt Main
3902406 -396 -67 Camaro2 & 4 Bolt Main
3902406 - 396 -67 Passenger2 & 4 Bolt Main

Vin number also may be very early if not too early for 396 production

I would advise caution

Sorry does not look like 3902406 is a Corvette block from what info

Carl

[Harry L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Hey Joe
Thankyou, for the info. I was wondering why he was hesitant in giving any numbers at all. All I know about the block numbers, is that it is a CE block. I looks great, but what else is he hiding? Thanks a bunch.

Harry

[Harry L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Thanks Carl

I think I will have to pass on this one.

Best: Harry