Interesting Find NOS LT-1 short block

[Terry B.]

Re: It's NOT a date code

My friend also has a LT1 short block he bought in 1970 still in the crate. I have posted the info before. It is stamped CEOA48270 and cast date is D300 that is April 30, 1970.
Original part number for the short block assembly is 3966921. The piston number is 3959456. Hand written on side is JJHJ. My notes indicate it has blue and pink paint on it but that could be on the two heads he also bought??

[Kevin M.]

Re: NOS or Rebuilt???

I don't know, I can't see any broach marks on the pad, looks smooth, and the stamp looks light. Could be the picture.

Kevin

[Dennis D.]

Re: It's NOT a date code

Terry....

Were those hand written letters located on the block, of the yellow crayon type written upside down identifying the engine code on the line?

[Terry B.]

Re: It's NOT a date code

Yes, that is what I remember of it. I was back in Indiana several months ago and we pulled it out to look it over and rotate the crank. It cost $409 in the good old days!! I have the heads here that he bought and have been considering picking up the motor. I bought my friend's 60 Vette. The original intent was to put it in the 60. I have started piecing together a 283. It has a 327 now.

[Joe L.]

Re: Not even CE on the pad???

Bunky-----

The short block assembly ("partial engine assembly", in GM parlance) that I purchased in 1975 did not have any stamping on the pad. Others that I observed in that period did not have any stamping, either. However, that might not have been the way it was done for all such assemblies. While, GENERALLY, only complete engine assemblies had the stamping, it may very well be that some partial engine assemblies were stamped, too. Like so many other things, there were variations in procedures over time.

[Joe L.]

Re: Pic of the bottom - pink rods???

Bunky-----

Yes, these are "pink" rods. However, "pink" rods were not unique to LT-1's. They were used for L-46 and L-82, also. The pistons installed in this engine indicate either an L-46 or LT-1, though. The only difference between those 2 partial engine assemblies was the installed camshaft. There's no way to discern that from the photo.

[Joe L.]

Re: let's see the front stamp pad #'s

Dennis-----

No way can it decode to a 1997 manufacturing date. The 3970010 block and engine assemblies manufactured from it were LONG out of production by that time.

[Joe L.]

Re: NOS or Rebuilt???

Bunky-----

I STRONGLY suspect that it's an NOS example of the GM #3966921 (1970 LT-1), or GM #3970653 (1970 L-46). Which one, I cannot tell you.

[Stephen B.]

I enjoy all of the discussion and such

I learn something new everyday on this forum. I appreciate all of the input from everyone.

[Jim T.]

Re: I enjoy all of the discussion and such

I have a CE partial engine block that I have had since August 1970. On the front pad is atamped CE0A47538, a 3970010 block, with a casting date D260. The 0 in the CEOA is for the year 1970 from what I have read about CE engines. It should be a four bolt main, someday I will find out when I remove the pan.