Engine Codes

[Jim K.]

Can anyone help me with the following engine numbers? HP, CI Displacement, ect... I'm told it's a 327 from a 66 Corvette but the CE tells me it's a replacement engine:
Raised Casting drivers side next to the dist. hole - 3892657
Raised casting Pass. side next to dist. hole - 1157 with a "1" above it
Stamped ID - CE32183

Thanks!!!

[Tom Freeman]

Re: Engine Codes

The casting #, 3892657, was used in '67 only but for the 302, 327, and 350 ci engines. The 1157 is the casting date, could the first 1 be an "I", if so then it would be Oct 15, 67. CE is usualy a warranty replacement engine. The CE number really does not tell you anything about the engine.

tom...

[Jim K.]

Re: Engine Codes

Thanks Tom! Any idea on the CID or HP?? also, there is a raised casting mark on the back near the other raised marks that looks like a clock face with no hands (there may have been an arrow) and only 11 perimeter markings, any ideas???

[John H.]

Re: Engine Codes

Jim -

The "clock face" indicates what hour of the shift the block was cast. There's no way to determine the innards of a "CE" engine without tearing it down; they were ordered as short-blocks by part number so the innards would match the failed engine they were replacing, but that part number only appeared on the invoice and the crate they were shipped in, not on the engine itself.

[Kevin T.]

Re: Engine Codes

Are the suffixes on the engine codes indicative of some unique characteristics inherent to the respective blocks? For instance, are the 1959 blocks with the CS suffix used in the 290 HP Fuelies at all different from the 1959 blocks with the CU suffix used in the 270 HP carbureted motors? Or are they just used to identify how the blocks are ultimately fitted out in the final assembly? I am just curious. Thanks. - Kevin

[John H.]

Re: Engine Codes

Kevin -

The production stamped engine code suffix identifies the combination of internal and external parts installed by the engine plant that makes that engine configuration unique. For instance, all 1960 Corvette engines used the same 3756519 block casting, but seven quite different finished engine assemblies resulted from different combinations of cams, lifters, pistons, heads, intakes, flywheels, distributors, etc., from 230hp base engines to 290hp fuel-injected engines. One common block casting + different parts = seven different finished engines.

[Kevin T.]

Re: Engine Codes

Thanks John. That's what I thought was the case. - Kevin

[Jim K.]

Re: Engine Codes THANKS John!!! *NM*