CE block 65 - 396

[Joe L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

harry,

390240639667Chevelle 2 & 4 Bolt Main390240639667Camaro2 & 4 Bolt Main390240639667Passenger2 & 4 Bolt Main

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

Carl

Carl-----


Those were the original PRODUCTION applications of the block. There could have been no PRODUCTION application for a Corvette since this is a 396 block and no Corvettes were manufactured with a 396 in 1967, the only year that this block was used in PRODUCTION. However, it is possible that the block was used for SERVICE replacement for a 1965 Corvette L-78 requiring a replacement engine, warranty or otherwise, in 1967. Personally, I think this is unlikely but it's possible.

[Ronald L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Harry, You should look for other signs this car is made up from a small block, given that it is fully done it is much, much, harder if the restorer was anygood at this - but there could be a error somewhere.

Things like the heads - have the guy pull the valve covers and show pics of the castings.

If this was a legitimate warranty they would have ONLY replaced the minimum necessary and if it was a block, OK, heads don't have to go or they get a valve job on those, should be consistent with a 65 396, you might find they are 427 heads. Exhaust manifolds, etc hard to say all that could have been purchased on the flee and put together.

Look at the 67 block casting date with respect to the VIN of the car, if its beyond 2 years - an obvious fake.

Look at the water pump casting date - that is another easy mistake they make.
Too bad you can't get someone close by to look this over.

The more hesitant the guy is, the more suspicious you need to be. There was soo much of this going on in the late 70's and early 80's that those cars now look old and tired.

66 had a limited 2 year warranty but please how on earth did you ever get GM to pay for anthing in the 60's or 70's??? It was not until the off shore invasion did they start to pay up and fix stuff.

[Jim T.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Harry, You should look for other signs this car is made up from a small block, given that it is fully done it is much, much, harder if the restorer was anygood at this - but there could be a error somewhere.

Things like the heads - have the guy pull the valve covers and show pics of the castings.

If this was a legitimate warranty they would have ONLY replaced the minimum necessary and if it was a block, OK, heads don't have to go or they get a valve job on those, should be consistent with a 65 396, you might find they are 427 heads. Exhaust manifolds, etc hard to say all that could have been purchased on the flee and put together.

Look at the 67 block casting date with respect to the VIN of the car, if its beyond 2 years - an obvious fake.

Look at the water pump casting date - that is another easy mistake they make.
Too bad you can't get someone close by to look this over.

The more hesitant the guy is, the more suspicious you need to be. There was soo much of this going on in the late 70's and early 80's that those cars now look old and tired.

66 had a limited 2 year warranty but please how on earth did you ever get GM to pay for anthing in the 60's or 70's??? It was not until the off shore invasion did they start to pay up and fix stuff.

Ron GM paid to put a CE block in my brand new 1970 350/300 after purchase on August 18,1970. Engine was destroyed within first hour of ownership leaving the dealership and never saw any RPM's above 2,500.

[Ronald L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Jim,
That style of case is the exception. Hard to imagine GM installing a new block 1.99999 years down the road - back then.

The good thing is this is not a 66 or 67, where we have many of them out there that left the factory 100 cu in smaller that they are today

[Domenic T.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Harry,
I have a 67 435/427 CE block that is within a 12 Mounth period of the car manufacture date.
It was a complete block replacement.

Now I am not saying my block was a complete replacement because as Ron said they only replaced what was needed BUT I have a munci that the dealership either wrote off or pulled a fast one with the chevy rep.
I wass allowed to keep a warrantee transmission that was totally repeirable, 2nd gear and the cluster.

I worked as a mechanic and was stuck with warrantee which paid less than customer pay.
I saw where DADDY came in and insisted that they replace the entire engine or trans.
Now Daddy owned a truck rental business and his fleet all came from that dealership. His colledge sons vette got all the best, even with the exhaust modified (headers) we did warrantee.

Face it, back then a lot of the ones that could afford vettes were tied in with parents or someone that were regular customers and their wishes were usually taken seriously.
I saw this first hand as I had to have the service maneger flag and approve my work order. It was always a " do the job and when your done see me in my office".
I will post the #s tomorrow on the CE block & heads that are in my 67.

DOM

[John H.]

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.

That's correct. The "CE" block stamping program was announced in a Chevrolet Dealer Service Information Bulletin in September, 1968, with a follow-up announcing implementation in April, 1969.

[Harry L.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

Thankyou all for your replies. They have been helpful. I am staying away from this car. The search continues.

Thanks Again: Harry

[Michael H.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

That's correct. The "CE" block stamping program was announced in a Chevrolet Dealer Service Information Bulletin in September, 1968, with a follow-up announcing implementation in April, 1969.

I found my sheet from GM, dated 1 Aug 1967, that states the CExxxxx numbers will appear on all major replacement and service assy's. (partial engines, transmissions etc)

A second sheet, dated 14 Aug 1967, basically repeates the first sheet.

By the way, the CExxxxx number did NOT necessarily mean that the component was replaced under a car warranty. Service or "over the counter" retail sale blocks would also carry the CExxxxx.

Supposedly, the new stamping was for warranty on the new component and also required by Georgia law for auto theft.

The GM letter also mentions the fact that Georgia law prohibits transfering the original numbers from the replaced component to the new one.

[Domenic T.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

I found my sheet from GM, dated 1 Aug 1967, that states the CExxxxx numbers will appear on all major replacement and service assy's. (partial engines, transmissions etc)

A second sheet, dated 14 Aug 1967, basically repeates the first sheet.

By the way, the CExxxxx number did NOT necessarily mean that the component was replaced under a car warranty. Service or "over the counter" retail sale blocks would also carry the CExxxxx.

Supposedly, the new stamping was for warranty on the new component and also required by Georga law for auto theft.

The GM letter also mentions the fact that Georgia law prohibits transfering the original numbers from the replaced component to the new one.

Well John,
Then I think I have one of the 1st CE blocks in my 67 coupe.

3916321 - H 15 7

DOM

[John H.]

Re: CE block 65 - 396

I found my sheet from GM, dated 1 Aug 1967, that states the CExxxxx numbers will appear on all major replacement and service assy's. (partial engines, transmissions etc)

A second sheet, dated 14 Aug 1967, basically repeates the first sheet.

I agree - it apparently took about a year of meetings and administrative work between the point where they started thinking about it and the point where it was announced and implemented (which wasn't unusual in those days - it wasn't a a product issue, so it didn't carry a high priority).