replacement blocks

[JChlupsa]

From the April 14th 1969 Chevy Dealer Service Information Bulletin Re-Issue 69-I-I Page 6
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Service Usage

The following system will be used to identify service engine and transmission assemblies* including replacement parts. Manufacturing plants will number each service assembly as it is produced. The first letter will designate the G.M. Division which produced the Engine.
C- Chevrolet
B- Buick
L- Oldsmobile
P- Pontiac
K- Cadillac

The second letter will indicate the type of unit "E" engine or "T" Transmission. The number following the letter will designate the Model Year "9" for 1969. The last five digits specify the service replacement unit sequence number.
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It goes on to list the plants/engines and the serial sequence number but I dont think they wil line up here on the fourm so Ill scan them and post that info later.

Example: Number CE900175 designates Cheverolet Engine- 1969 year, and the 175th unit oproduced for service at Flint Motot Plant (L-6)

For trannys it states that hydra-matic transmissions will be numbered with the letter "H" regardless of the G.M. Division using the transmission.

[JChlupsa]

Also in the same bulletin it states that :
All Chevrolet produced COPO axles for passenger cars will use a thre alpha prefix to the date code. Truck COPO axles will use a two alph prefix to the date code

[Schonyenko2]

I actually have one of those warranty blocks. It is a 1970 4 bolt 010 350 stamped on an undecked pad CTB without the sequential vin#. I had not seen one either until I got this one. I then read the article from Yr 1. I'm just passing on the info, not startin a spittin match. Schonye

[yountto]

How do you know it was a CE replacement if it has a CTB on the pad,unless you yourself had the item warranty replaced in 1970.....it could be a motor that came from a car that wasnt vin stamped..or it could have been a long block OTC motor that was stamped on the pad rather than the customary starter area,how do you know it came from GM as a bare block???..No "spitting match" intended...

[Schonyenko2]

I'll try to get that article posted from YR1 tommorrow. Maybe this block started life as an unstamped otc motor. Schonye

[GMH454]

Have a race car that has a LS7 from Nickey dropped in it in 1974 coded by the factory, can't read the code but it 3 digit alpha code and not CE.
Had a A/Prod Vette with a Crate L-88, (saw the crate lid, and yes it had the part number and L-88 on it.) That was a L-88 short block and it was stamped CE. Also from 1974, have a copy of the parts invoice for it
No logic here.

[gemleeus]

OH, so thats what it means, thanks.

[WILMASBOYL78]

My 70 L78 Nova has a CE replacement block. Casting date 5/25/72, CE360285. This car had a warranty replacement shortblock installed in the summer of 1973. This seems to make sense, the block was cast in 72 and then asembled with the 73 year code and 60285 in sequence. I know that the engine was replaced at the dealer because the original owner had all the details. I have never seen a CE motor with a vin, but then I haven't seen everything. Hope this helps. Tom

[Mark_C]

Never seen a CE block with a VIN, or an assembly code on the pad. What the block be it a bare blck, short block long block engine was documented by the CE number. Very rarely would GM replace a complete motor. You might get a bare block (CE code) a short or fitted Block (just a block piston and rods) (CE9A code - where 9 is the year), or a long block (CE9B code) and have to use your old heads intake etc. GM wasn't giving away complete engines if you blew yours up, you got the minimum pieces needed to get you out the door.

What's the difference between a 350 LT1 block, and any other 350 that would give you a CTB code on a bare CE block. A 3970010 block (I assume thats the casting number) is just a block, could be 2 bolt or 4 bolt. The CTB code was an assembly code for a complete motor, you can't buy a block stamped with CTB unless it came from an assembled LT1. So if you have a CTB block with a CE number on it it's either all that's left of a complete CE motor, or its a restamp.

[Salvatore]

AMEN!