409/409

I am a new member and recently bought a 1966 coupe. I was told it had a warranty replacement block. I can't seem to find out what all the numbers mean so I hope someone out there can.

Block casting #3959512. I don't see a date code. Pad on front is stamped
CE5N23948
S118XCB

Head casting #3991492 Date code J24

Please help! and Thanks in advance.

JohnZ

That's correct - that "CE" block was made at Flint V-8 in 1975; the block (3959512) was used exclusively for 327 and 350 Service and warranty applications. The cylinder heads are also Service pieces, cast in October, 1974.

409/409

Thanks for replying so quickly. Why/how would they replace block and heads under warranty when they were originally 3 years/36,000 miles and what horsepower would it be???
Thanks again

Mike Ward

Not all CE engines were for warranty purposes, many were over the counter crate (service) engines. There's no way of knowing what's inside without disassembly.

409/409

Thanks for your quick reply. Does anyone know how to decode the stamped numbers. I always heard "CE" stood for either counter or crate engine, but what about the other numbers?

MikeM

CE stands for Chevrolet Engine.

Whoever set up the code system and others knows what those numbers mean after the CE stamp. I've never seen anyone come forward with a decoding answer.

See post #4 for info on what's inside your engine.

409/409

I typed post#4 in the search box and I couldn't find it. I guess I don't know how to navigate the site very well. How do I find post #4?

Thanks

ctjackster

With all due respect, post #2 (each post in a topic is numbered sequentially, this is post #8) provides all of the decoding of those numbers you're ever going to get. As was pointed out by Mike W, what lurks inside of the engine today (or any of our engines that were not in our constant ownership since new) is not a certainty.

As for the rest of the information posted here, that's all debatable, right down to whether "CE" stands for Chevy Engine

MikeM

See post from Mike Ward.

Posts are numbered in sequential order in the upper right hand of the posting box.

MikeM

Spoken like a true, blue member of the bar. Everything is up for litigation.

oldskydog

How debatable?

JohnZ

Here's the "CE" decode, from our Camaro Research Group (CRG) website, www.camaros.org.



Service Engine (CE) and Transmission Coding
Quoting from the Chevrolet Dealer Service Information Bulletin, 69-I-1, dated 19 Sept, 1968:






The following system will be used to identify service engine and transmission assemblies* including replacement parts. Manufacturing plants will number each assembly as it is produce. The first letter will designate the GM division which produced the engine.

C-Chevrolet L-Oldsmobile K-Cadillac B-Buick P-Pontiac

The second letter will designate 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. The group of numbers to be used by Chevrolet manufacturing plants are as follows:


Engines
Flint Motor Plant (L6 Engines) 00001 to 19999
80001 to 89999
Flint V8 Engine Plant 20000 to 49999
Tonawanda Motor Plant 50000 to 79999

Example: Number CE900175 designates Chevrolet engine - 1969 year, and the 175th unit produced for service at the Flint Motor Plant (L6).


Transmissions
Cleveland Transmission Plant 00001 to 14999
Toledo Transmission Plant 15000 to 24999
Saginaw Transmission Plant 25000 to 34999
Muncie Transmission Plant 35000 to 44999
Hydra-Matic transmissions will be numbered with the letter "H"
regardless of the G.M. Division using the transmission.

* This numbering system applies to service engine assemblies, partial engines, fitted cylinder cases, cylinder cases, transmission assemblies and transmission cases.


Most service parts were produced specifically for service. Production engines and transmissions were generally not used as service parts.

Mr D.

Hey 409, does that 3959512 block have a hole behind the intake (this would connect to your air cleaner) that is part of your PCV system?

409/409

Yes it does. Why would you ask that?

tach drive 61

this is the 512 i found a few years ago .CE4Nxxxx . used a set of 291 heads and L79 hyd cam with the two relief dished pistons .we run a 245 HP 2x4 carb setup into stock 62 rams . works well.

Mr D.

Because that block is hard to come by, been looking for one for a few years now. Hang on to it.

ctjackster

Damn near EVERYTHING is debated on here - I think you mistook my comment for suggesting I had contrary info - nope, I know nothing about them CE blocks

Mike Ward

No it isn't.

babbah

I find this thread fascinating. Awesome info.
You gotta love this forum!

409/409

What is special about it and where else would the PCV hole be?