Repalcment blocks??

[64409]

When or how were replacment blocks used. Were they used if you cracked your block? Did you buy them from the dealer? If any one can tell me any other info on replacment block it would be great.....

[Ronnie Russell]

64409, There has been some controversey over un-stamped blocks. Replacement blocks from the dealer were unmarked. Our member , MPRIS, bought a new 1964 Impala SS with 409 and his engine was unstamped. I dont think there will ever be a concrete answer that will satisfy everyone. BTW the convention thread is actually in refererance to a "get together" we are having at Clay City , Kenturcky June 2,3 and 4. Lots of fun. Hope you can make it.

[models916]

You could buy one over the parts counter or could have one in your car as a warrantee replacement.

[mpris]

Ronnie, the engine build date is on my block. The vin # is not on my block. Car was built in Doraville, Ga. in October 1963. If someone saw my engine, they would probably say it was not numbers matching since the vin is not on the block. However it came this way. I understand mine is not the only one which is missing the vin #. See attached.

[oldskydog]

I may be wrong but I believe it is generally accepted , at least in the NCRS community that warranty replacement engines would have an assembly date preceded with a CE ( Chevrolet Engine) prefix. I believe that any engine assembled at the engine plant , whether over the counter or warranty replacement would have an assembly date and suffix code but no vin code. It would seem likely that a "fitted block" or partial engine assembly (short block) might have an assembly date but a bare block would not since it was not assembled at the plant. Corvettes should have a vin code on all factory installed engines after about 1960 but the passenger cars seem to have an inconsistent record here. As with many variations in trimtags etc, I would think the variations in vin stamping probably are attritubatable to each assembly plant. I had a 67 400hp 427 Vette that had a warrantly replacement engine with the CE prefix and no vin stamp. I can't remember if it had a suffix code or not but I don't think so. Anybody else have any experiences or ideas?:dunno

[Old School]

64-409 - I also have a 64 409 that is absent a VIN stamp. All the other numbers were there. I have been told the VIN stamping was done when the engine was placed in the car. It was hand stamped and if the line was running short it was sometimes missed. I saw one the other day that had two numbers transposed. Must have been a Friday built car.

I have been in the same quandry as you.. Thinking about stamping them on myself...

[gearhead409]

Cecil , i have a 63 425hp complete engine with a replacement short block. it is not stamped. here's the story, a friend of mine bought the car new. he got drafted and was sent to vietnam. his dad kept the car and got a little crazy one night and toss a rod out of it. GM put it back togther under warranty. when my friend got home from the service he wanted to trade it in for a new GTO. the GTO sales man wasn't going to give him any extra for the 63 with the 409 in it so he pulled the engine, put a 283 in it and traded the old 63 in on a new GTO. i bought the 409 and still have it today. it's got 13k miles on it. that's my story and i'am sticking to it.

[Ronnie Russell]

mpris, Thanks for correcting me. Just shows how bad my memory is. I wont forget this time. Date codes yes VIN no :doh

[oldskydog]

Gearhead,
Do you know if they replaced the whole engine, shortblock, or just the block?. I would think that if they just ordered a bare block and replaced the damaged internals, then the pad would be blank. On the otherhand if they replaced the entire engine assy, it would likely have an assembly date from the engine plant but no vin. In otherwords if it left the engine plant as an assembled engine it should be stamped with an assembly date. I'll bet Fran would have an opinion if he were stiil here.

[oldskydog]

Just as an example to confirm the mistakes on the assembly line, I was looking at my 58 B/A 348 engine today and noticed that the block was cast I-28-57 (Sept) and the pad was stamped T0830G (August). It is untouched original and all the other casting dates are Sept. so it is obvious that the guy setting up the stamp holding tool picked up the 8 by mistake instead of the 9. I wonder if it was a Friday or a Monday?

[gearhead409]

Cecil, just the short block. ( crank,rods,pistons,cam and the oil pan.

[4speedman]

I have a engine with a 068 block that i bought about 1980 used of course and it has no numbers on the pad.It shows no sign of being decked.The person i got it from had it in a 1955 ford F100.I took it apart and it looked almost brand new inside.I always that it was a replacement engine.It didn't seem important at the time so i didn't ask.

[MileHiSS]

I may be wrong but I believe it is generally accepted , at least in the NCRS community that warranty replacement engines would have an assembly date preceded with a CE ( Chevrolet Engine) prefix. . Anybody else have any experiences or ideas?:dunno


I always thought CE stood for "counter exchange"