CE block - understanding it?!

[Michael M.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

OK...you see my point? This is a V8 engine, and the numbers I gave are exactly what appears on the pad. This is a question I have had since I got this block. It just doesn't follow the normal protocal. The stamp is very original, and it has very deep and clean broach marks. Is this just another GM anomoly?

[Joel F.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

I'd chalk it up to the mindset of the average UAW working in the early 70's

[Cecil L.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

The "A" indicates the second series of engine numbers but I can't explain the lack of zeroes preceeding the 84 other than maybe they just left them out or by 73 the numbering system had changed. What was the casting date? Could it be that it was at the end of the production run and since they weren't running more than necessary they didn't need the block of zeros to identify the 84th engine in the second run? Just guessing here but seems logical.

[Joe L.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

Terry & Joel,

to make the info complete the following numbers are on the block:
CE 191122
3932386

We know the car is an NOM (looks are original though).

Mike

Michael-----


The GM #3932386 block is a large journal, 1969 block used for 302 and 350 cid engines. I'm surprised it was still being manufactured in 1971 as the CE coding would indicate. By that time, the 3970010 block had pretty much replaced it. It's possible that it was still used for some 327 SERVICE engines, though. The part that I don't understand is that the 3932386 had no provisions for block-mounted crankcase breather which would seem to make it unsuitable for 1967 and earlier 327 applications. So, if your engine has these provisions, then there must have been some "variant" of the 3932386 block that I am not aware of.

[Cecil L.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

Joe,
Since the 3932386 was a large journal block it could still be cast with the then current small block line. The small journal blocks were out of production so service engines/blocks had to be cast from the old patterns with new casting numbers. About the same time the CE block program came about there were a series of new small journal blocks with new casting numbers. The 3959512 was the service 327 block for all but the Chevy II/Nova. The 3959532 was the 283 service block for all but the Chevy II/Nova. The 3959534 was the service 283 block for the Chevy II/Nova (pics of an NOS 534 block attached). The 3959538 was the 327 service block for the Chevy II/Nova and that is what was in my 67 Nova 4spd car when I got it and what prompted my research on these odd casting numbers. Also my 58 Corvette had a 3959532 CE block in it when I got it.

Note the casting date on the NOS 283 block of C-28-9 and assembly pad of CE122093?....cast in March 69 and not assembled until 71? Looks like a run of blocks were cast for future use and pulled for assembly as needed.
My 3959538 Nova 327 L-79 block has a casting date of A-3-9 with an assembly pad of CE9A28459. Most of the CE blocks I have seen were cast in 69 which might indicate that there was a rather large pour in anticipation of future service needs for the old small journal smallblocks. Just my guess.

[Michael W.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

Thanks for all the info guys, this opens my eyes. Please find below a pic of the engine stamp which I have and clearly indicated CE 191122, I do not have a pic of the casting nr 3932386 but believe me it is there.



So what I learned of the number I summarize - please correct me if I misunderstood:
C = chevrolet
E = Engine
1 = 61 or 71 (which one is it?)
91122 = production sequence nr but unclear which factory, so which one it is?
Block is most likely a 1969 327 big journal.

Hope I am seeing things right!?

Joe - the block indeed has no possibility for the crank case breather.

Open questions:
- is this now a 305 or 350 ci?
- what is the BHP produced by the block?

FYI:
- block is connected to a 65 PG unit

Groeten

[Joe L.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

Thanks for all the info guys, this opens my eyes. Please find below a pic of the engine stamp which I have and clearly indicated CE 191122, I do not have a pic of the casting nr 3932386 but believe me it is there.



So what I learned of the number I summarize - please correct me if I misunderstood:
C = chevrolet
E = Engine
1 = 61 or 71 (which one is it?)
91122 = production sequence nr but unclear which factory, so which one it is?
Block is most likely a 1969 327 big journal.

Hope I am seeing things right!?

Joe - the block indeed has no possibility for the crank case breather.

Open questions:
- is this now a 305 or 350 ci?
- what is the BHP produced by the block?

FYI:
- block is connected to a 65 PG unit

Groeten

Michael-----


I would say it's likely a 350. There's no way to tell from the stampings. But, when you have the pan off you can look for a casting number on the crank. That will tell-the-tale. Most likely, you'll find GM #3932442.

[Michael W.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

Michael,

The CE program at GM did not exist in 1961 (or 1981) so your engine would be from 1971 if we are decoding the stamping correctly.

What is the casting date on the block?

[Michael W.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

I don't know the casting date unfortunately! Will take some time since I will see the car in only a couple of weeks again.

Mike

[Michael M.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

Casting date: I-5-3, I will get some pics of it tonight.

[John H.]

Re: CE block - understanding it?!

OK I have a strange on for someone to take a stab at, this is an actuasl stamp I have:

CE3A84

the foirst three ###s are logical, but I haven't found anyone who can tell me why the 84.............any help?

The engine plants took lots of liberties with the format of "CE" stampings over the years, especially when they over-ran their original allocated block of 30,000 numbers and had to start over again with the "A" series (there were FAR more failed engines during the 5/50 period than anyone ever projected when the program was "sold" to management).

The "A"-series of allocated numbers by plant were as follows after the over-run of the original allocation:

Flint Motor (6-cylinder plant): A00001-A19999 and A80001-A89999

Flint V-8: A20000-A49999 and A90000-A99999

Tonawanda: A50000-A79999


The "CE" block in my '69 Z/28 is CE0A96509, installed in July, 1970; must have gone out in a blaze of glory, as it took out one cylinder head along with the block; all they saved was one head, the intake, carb, distributor, and the alternator.