Id-ing a small block block!

[Hawssie]

I am just tearing into a 1969 C30 which I was told supposed to have a 350 in it.The truck model is CE31003. The engine casting number is 3959532 which is supposed to be a 1960 283 but was also used as a CE replacement block. The front deck space by the head does have a CE number: CE6N23635 and then 428XCA which I cant seem to find a "XCA" suffix code. It definitely looks like it was re-stamped. Sorry the picture isn't that good but you can see a part of a stamp below the '5" I think. I included the SPIC too. Any idea what this thing is? Im not very up on how to ID these in the first place but was trying via this site: http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w..._Chevy_engines

[sanford66]

I couldn't find XCA in my books either. I did find XA and XC though. They are both a 1969 350cid C-10 thru C-30 truck, 4bbl carb, 255 hp. The only difference is one is powerglide auto. and one is 4-speed. This seems to fit your truck. Could be a stamping error?? Joseph

[Hawssie]

Hmm the one w/ the 4 speed sounds right but this motor at least now has a 2 bbl on it. Who knows. I don't know much of anything about CE blocks. I read that they were over the counter replacements or maybe warranty motors I think? I wonder who stamped them and when, like right before they installed it at the dealership or at the reman plant. Also the casting number is for a 283, I guess that means(if its is a 350) that it was bored out to a 350?

[Hawssie]

Heres the casting number

[SS Tim]

Are you sure about your CE number? It does not look that to me or at least the partial shown. Thinking it ends 3355. However the CE decode I use is from a 69 service bulletin and the N does not fit.
Plus based on your SPID the truck started as a C30 base V-8 truck which would be a 2bbl 307.
Did you find the casting date on the block?
Dig up this tidbit too.
"The 3959512 and that whole series of 39595xx blocks were replacement castings for the out of production 283 and 327 blocks beginning in late 68 early 69 when the CE program started. Any replacement engines/blocks before 68 would have used current production engines/blocks. After 69, those small journal blocks were no longer used in production. GM recast the blocks with new casting numbers to service the small journal requirements as follows.
3959532 283 PASS/TRUCK CE
3959534 283 Chevy II/Nova CE
3959512 327 PASS/TRUCK 327 CE
3959538 327 Chevy II/Nova CE"
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...olt-block.html

[Hawssie]

Heres a clearer picture(s) of that part of the number. I don't want to sound stupid but how do you tell the engine size from the info on the truck itself? (SPID or model number) I know I should know this but I don't.

[Hawssie]

I forgot to add I also have a verified 307 in another truck. If I remember correctly isn't front the balancer thinner on a 307 then a 350? Or is that a 327 and a 350? Maybe I could narrow it down by measuring that.

[SS Tim]

The additional pictures do help clarify things.
The CE6N23635 looks correct but the _ _428XCA overstamp has at least two additional digits and first might be a 3.
However this CE number does not decode with what I have and frankly it has been a while since I have done any in depth "CE" engine decodes. Even then I was looking at ...512s and trying very hard to find a CE coded ...440.
Agree with your casting number too.
Still a casting date might help some.


As far as the engine you know the answer. Your truck is a CE31003 so we know it had a V-8 but it does not have an optional V-8 RPO listed. These were the LS9 350 or the L47 396. So that leaves the base 307 engine. There is a code for the 307 that would be on a build sheet. Does your truck have a build sheet in the seat springs? Probably dust by now.

[dads longhorn]

SSTim, has anyone told you you're awesome lately? I am! You're a never ending source of great info.
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[Hawssie]

Thanks for your help. It isnt a big deal either way on this truck as it came to me a few years ago as a $100 truck, Its just funny how people throw around "350" whenever there is a orange small block in a truck. I found a sign in the back from when the guy was trying to sell this back in 2003 (to another party)and it says among other things 350 motor!

[bruceman1968]

Mark Allens' suffix code book for SBC has the XCA suffix code listed as a 350 crate engine.
A date code would help. If that is a 283 the date code will be between 1956 and 1967. Anything else is a 350 crate.

[EM3]

I have same block, mine is a 1964 283

[GASoline71]

Dredging the bottom for this one... 6 year old thread.

Gary

[68Gold/white]

There are also ways to identify an engine (not a numbers deal, BUT, may tell you what you have...) by the flange end that the flywheel/flex plate bolts to...

[crazyjeenyus]

Another option is to pull a head off and measure the bore & stroke. That is where you'll get the most accurate values.