which is best- c.e. or date correct motor?

[Zedder]

The distinction is really pretty simple...judging compares the car to "as delivered" condition. Since the CE replacement motor would come after delivery, it is not desirable for judging purposes. Those looking to preserve the "history" of a car, would likely prefer a CE block if there was paperwork supporting the warranty work. Personally, since I prefer the "as delivered" category, I would pay more for a properly done "restoration" motor if my original was long gone. It's all a mater of personal preference. Having the correct motor from another car is still not the original to me, so it has no more value than a correctly dated resto motor.