What does "CE" refer to?

[Mr70]

Add this misused term to the list of incorrect Caution-Fan stickers,plastic A-body cowl grilles & inside out/upside down cowl air cleaner seals.
It wasn't a program & it didn't stand for counter or crate exchange.
It stood for Chevrolet Engine.
This broad ID system was used to ID GM service components that were sold to the general public via the parts Dept. & when the dealer needed them to replace warrantied components that were no longer useable.

Taken verbatim from one of Chevrolets' internal memos dated 1968.

<span style="font-style: italic">The following ID system will be used to identify service engine &amp; transmission assemblies,including replacement parts.This ID system applies to service engine assemblies,partial engines,fitted cylinder cases,cylinder cases themselves &amp; transmission assemblies and transmission cases.
Manufacturing plants will ID each above service component the following way,as it is being produced.

EXAMPLE~CE8 12345

The first character will designate the GM Division which produced the assembly.
C=Chevrolet
L=Oldsmobile
K=Cadillac
B=Buick
P=Pontiac

The second character will indicate the type of unit.
E=Engine
T=Transmission

The number following the letter will designate the model year.
8=1968
9=1969
0=1970
1=1971
2=1972

The last 5 digits specify the service replacement unit sequence number.
If the allotted series of unit sequence numbers is exhausted,the plant will start back at the beginning of allotted sequence numbers again,but this time prefixing it with the letter A to indicate that.

EXAMPLE= CE8 A12345</span>