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Is this 454 a Chevy crate motor or production engine?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Edelbroke, Oct 16, 2011.

  1. Edelbroke
    Joined: Dec 12, 2008
    Posts: 770

    Edelbroke
    BANNED

    I pulled this motor from a 71 Elcamino. I'd like to know what it is for sure.

    It's a 4 bolt main

    The casting numbers by the distributor are: 14015445 (78-1978)

    The engines front pad is stamped: CES133564

    The heads are: 386781 -Oval port - open chamber

    What I really want to decode or understand is the front pad number.
    CES133564 Does CE stand for crate engine? Can this number be traced to a specific GM part number?

    Thank you!
     

    Attached Files:

  2. 1934coupe
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 5,062

    1934coupe
    Member

    All of the CE pad stamping I've seen and heard about where over the counter sales. Some refer to these as "Counter Exchange" but I think thats a slang term.

    Pat
     
  3. Bosco1956
    Joined: Sep 21, 2008
    Posts: 545

    Bosco1956
    Member
    from Jokelahoma

    CE = Crate engine
     
  4. Hemiman 426
    Joined: Apr 7, 2011
    Posts: 699

    Hemiman 426
    Member
    from Tulsa, Ok.

    Warranty Replacement or Over the Counter Engine Assembly:
    Engine is a factory over the counter engine or warranty replacement engine produced after the end of the 1967 Model year. Warranty/Service engines produced prior to the end of the 1967 Model year would include either a standard assembly code with no partial VIN for full fitted blocks on the assembly stamp pad area as normal(a partial VIN may have been added later by the dealer) or int he case of partial or bare blocks would include a code located instead on the flat area of the pan rail where the pan gasket would be located. Internal GM letters announcing the change to the lettering model can be found below.
    C = Chevrolet
    E = Engine
    The remaining characters are a factory assigned code.
     

  5. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 56,035

    squirrel
    Member

    what is the casting date code on the back of the block? look for a letter followed by two to four numbers.

    But yeah, it sounds like a replacement engine.

    The LS-7 crate 454 I bought in 1989 has a normal Chevy number with the XCH suffix. So not all crate engines use the CE code
     
  6. Edelbroke
    Joined: Dec 12, 2008
    Posts: 770

    Edelbroke
    BANNED

    l 29 3
     
  7. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 56,035

    squirrel
    Member

    Probably September 29 1983, since that fits in the year range for the engine casting number (1978-87)

    Does it have big rods? steel crank? forged pistons? or is it the low perf stuff version with a cast crank, 3/8" rod bolts, and cast pistons?
     

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