What to buy restamp pad or CE pad ?

[Tom J.]

Hi guys looking at two different cars both 67 big blocks. First one has date coded block that the owner said was restamped has been through judging and passed about 5 years ago. Second one has a ce block and has not been judged. What would be the best choice as far as the Corvette community goes keeping in mind both cars look fantastic.

[Gene M.]

Re: What to buy restamp pad or CE pad ?

Tom,
There has to be many other things you want to look at since neither car is real engine block. Color, horse power, body style, options, condition of frame, interior originality, etc. You have not given enough information to call. It sounds like you are looking to buy? If it were me I'd keep looking for a real engine car. If you want a driver IMHO look to a small block.

[Rick A.]

Re: What to buy restamp pad or CE pad ?

and, when the owner says "passed judging about 5 years ago" - was this just a local Chapter judging; Regional; National..........otherwise, agree with Gene completely, think I would be El Paso on the two cars......

[Joe R.]

Re: What to buy restamp pad or CE pad ?

Hey Tom,

Do it your way. You know more than 100% of people on this forum!

JR

[Patrick B.]

Re: What to buy restamp pad or CE pad ?

If the restamped block is a 351 block with a casting date preceeding the car build date by 3 weeks or more, it is way more valuable to you than
a 68 or 69 CE block with an incorrect casting number and date for the car. Plus 351 blocks are much more expensive than 321, 439 or 512 blocks to buy for a restoration. I don't think any 67 blocks were stamped with the CE designation. Even if future judges took points off for the stamping, you should still get credit for the casting number and date. I think you would loose all the points with a later CE block.

Or course, all this presumes that it is a real big block car with a replacement engine (which is not uncommon). If you think it might be a small block car with a big block engine, do not pay a big block price for it. If you can't tell, have an expert examine it before you buy.

If one of these cars has documentation and the other doesn't, that might be more significant than the block.

[Edward J.]

Re: What to buy restamp pad or CE pad ?

Tom, my take is the restamp block if the numbers work, Casting dates etc. I would like something at least correctly dated, Lets face it, the owner the owner let you know its a restoration engine, but aren't all big blocks this way? the choice is yours,