Re: replacement blocks
Before this gets ugly, I interpreted your original statement that you had a "CTB stamped CE block" as being just that a warranty block with both a CE number and CTB on it. That is what brought up the restamp issue. You can't have just a block with an engine suffix code on it, it would have to be a complete engine and I stand by that observation.
I have no doubt that there were complete motors sold over the counter with a CE number and an engine assembly suffix on it. These are probably leftovers, or some small run of extras built just for spare parts. They were probably pretty rare and they are not to be confused with a CE warrantee block, or assembly. In this case a coded assembly should not have any casting dates, or assembly stamp date that extends beyond August of the model year in which the Code was used. In other words you WILL NOT find a CTB coded 70 LT1 over the counter engine that was assembled after August of 1970, as there were none made after that with that code. On the other hand a CE (warrantee replacement) block without the assembly suffix code could be dated up to the warrantee expiration date for that car, because it's just a block and or some pistons, rods and possibly a crank that GM still had service parts for, and were able to assemble for warrantee.
Anything places like Yenko, Nickey or Dana, does not fit into the general rules of engine production. They are not the "norm", as they had to get the engines they put into their cars from somewhere, so obviously it was possible to get complete engines over the counter. These engines would have casting dates before the car was built though so it should be easy to identify them. I do know that the heads have something to do with the engine suffix code, so I doubt you could get a short block with a suffix code even from them. A long block maybe, but not a short.
They are also no good in documenting a car. As I, for all intents and purposes, could have purchased a complete L89 CE engine over the counter back in 69 thru the end of the warrantee period and then put it in my small block pacecar. With a few other component changes and a CE number on the block I've got a car that is worth twice what the L48 version was worth. Doesn't mean thats what it left the factory with, at least with just a CE number you feel a little more comfortable that the block was replaced under warrantee, and not purchased over the counter.
I'd feel much more comfortable buying a car with a CE stamped block without an engine suffix, than one that did have it for that reason.
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