69 427 Engine ID CE077733 - Dana? Gibb?

[TrinityDave]

I have had a 427 BBC in my Mandella Ski/Drag Boat for the last 30 years. I traded it for a Blown 327 that was too much hassel for "family fun" weekends.
The guy said the 427 was a 425HP version, only a month old, and never opened up. That was in California in the early 70's.
Tearing it down last weekend after 30 faithful years of summer skiing, I found the VIN to be CE077733 & Block date coded L.18.9 Casting number 33963512. The heads are 3873858 with 1.14.5 & 1.15.5 date codes. It has a 6223 crank that is still smooth as glass & arrow straight. The casting numbers on the aluminum intake were polished off but it has a 10.29.65 EJ AN code on the bottom. Pistons are the original forged pop-ups and rods have a single dimple. Cam is mechanical. Carb is the big Holley.
My initial research indicated this was a dealer special order engine sold in early 1970. Could the heads & manifold have sat in the factory for 5 years before being assembled? Is this the same engine that Dana or Gibb etc used in dealer changeouts and if so is this engine rare/valuable to someone who needs a "original" dated/coded replacement motor?
Even tho my daily driver is a restored a 69 RS SS Camaro 350, I'm not interested in making a clone Dana or Motion car. As a Pastor, the small block tempts my lead foot enough already.
I just hate to waste a rare motor in a ski boat if it might complete someone's unique project.
Whatcha' Think?

[JoeC]

Dave, The CE block is a service replacement block that was available at any Chevy dealer parts counter. I do not know why the heads would pre-date the block by four years. Your block date and casting number is valuable for a restoration but may not have a high enough value to allow the purchase of a new crate motor. It may be better just to keep it for your boat in my opinion.

[COPO]

The block date would not be correct for any '69 Camaros because it is so late. Are you sure it is not a 454 block? The 512's later became 454 blocks. I'm going from memory here, but check the bottom on the cylinders for notches as I think only 454 blcoks had these. The notches allowed the rods to clear the cylinders w/the longer 454 stroke. Dimensionally the 454 and 427 blocks are the same, just different stroke cranks. There was one on EBAY recently that was bid to ~$650. So Joe C's advise is right on. These blocks could be purchased as a short block or long block assembly. Looks like yours was a short block and someone already had a set of BB heads for it. There's no way those heads were factory assembled on your short block.

[TrinityDave]

Gentlemen, Thank you both very much.
Your information has been of great help.
You have a great site and a fun circle of friends.

God's best to ya' - Dave

[COPO]

Your crankshaft #6223 is a 1970-1972 402 (396) forged steel. This has the same stroke as a 427 crank. The difference is a 427 crank is heavier due to a different counterweight design. The 427 has a 7/8" counterweight and a 396/402 crank has a 3/4" counterweight. I would say you've got a 454 block w/a 396 crank and older BB heads. the combo equals 427 CI.

[TrinityDave]

Thanks for the reply Joe. Do you know if CE's were shipped as short blocks, long blocks or both? I assumed short blocks wouldn't have an engine code - But I'm not any expert.
Thank you very much for the help - Dave