Prospective purchase engine ID help, please!

sixbrl440 · #1 09-23-2010, 02:58 AM

Looking at a 1967 Corvette, which I know has had the 427 changed for what is in it now. The present owner has had it almost 30 years, not too knowledgeable about the numbers of the car, just bought it back in the day for his son. Long story.

Anyhow, it is 3999289 cast block, I couldn't read the other stuff as it is in the car, with this on the pad: CE 103507

I figured out it is a 454 block, but what do the pad numbers signify? FWIW, I am a MOPAR guy, so this is kinda Greek to me.

I am told the bore of the block is the same as the original 390 HP 437 would have been [4.250] and the engine has the original heads and dist. Weiland manifold has been installed, along with a Holley 750 carb.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ngtflyr · #2 09-23-2010, 03:16 AM

3999289 is a 454 as you stated, they were produced 1972 - 1975 for passenger, Chevelle, Corvette, and 73-75 for Monte Carlo's. The CE 103507 designates it as a warrenty replacement block. CE stands for Counter Exchange. I wouldn't think it would be a warrenty block for a 67 vette since the 289 blocks weren't produced until well after the vette's warrenty had expired. The motor should also have a casting date stamp on the rear topside of the eng the opposite side from the casting number. The 103507 is just the sequence number of CE engs as far as I have been told.

sixbrl440 · #3 09-23-2010, 04:11 AM

I appreciate the response. I discovered the CE was counter exchange and figured the age difference as the original got scattered in 1973, according to the current owner's investigation of the car when he bought it in 1981.. That made sense. Just was at a loss as to the remaining numbers.

All of the above doesn't mean a thing, save satisfying my curiosity, because if it isn't the engine the car is born with, then it is a replacement. I did know it is a replacement. Got a kick out of the bore being the same, supposedly.

The car runs exceptionally well, BTW.

Again, thanks for the help!

**69 Post Sedan** · #4 09-23-2010, 04:49 AM

Actually, CE stands for Chevrolet Engine. The first number after the CE is the year. Since yours is CE <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">1</span></span>03507 that would make it a 1971.

sixbrl440 · #5 09-23-2010, 06:42 AM

It seems I am just on the beginning of an education. Thanks for the information and responses.

I guess, if the year the engine was changed is accurate, the CE block had been "on the shelf" for a while.

**Fast67VelleN2O** · #6 09-23-2010, 02:31 PM

Hi,
Good luck with your purchase, however, it is Weiand. not Weiland. It is pronounced "Why And". Sorry but just a pet peeve of mine.

sixbrl440 · #7 09-24-2010, 03:43 AM

Thanks, Matt. I know that about the "Why And," I've run many of them. I fat fingered the keyboard, I guess. I normally do a better job proofreading. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/blush.gif[/img]