[crash]

I have a Chevy 350, with 4 bolt mains, the only numbers and letters I can make out are: ce4170604 FSM . Does anyone know anything about this engine, or where I could find any info ? Thanks, Bob

[poncho62]

Go here...

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.html

Where did you find those numbers?

[crash]

Numbers were on a pad on the right front of engine block. I can't find a match on that website.

[poncho62]

Originally Posted by crash

Numbers were on a pad on the right front of engine block. I can't find a match on that website.

Yeah...I looked too, that's why I asked.....are you sure those are the letters?

[crash]

I'm starting to think maybe its altered, it's supposed to be out of a late 70's Camaro, but the guy didn't know if it was the original engine. He's not passing it off as HiPo, just a good strong engine for my Elky. He wants $750, which isn't bad down here if you can even find a 350 for sale anymore.

The numbers and letters seem to be legit to me, so I don't know what to do when I need parts and they want to know what year it is.

The heads have what resembles a flat top pyramid on the front of them, where the fuelies have the camel humps.

Thanks for trying to help, Bob

[75gmck25]

The numbers you are looking for on the block would be toward the back of the engine, not the front. If you look straight down at the engine, just behind the driver's side valve cover, there should be a flat section with a set of numbers. These are the numbers that are usually listed on Mortec and other sites for small block Chevy's. To check head numbers you will have to pull the valve covers.

Bruce

[crash]

Thanks I'll check there for other numbers.

[1ownerT]

He is looking in the right place for specifics on his engine. The casting code you are referring to on the back of the block is not specific in most cases, it will give you the years that casting was used.

[1ownerT]

Originally Posted by crash

Thanks I'll check there for other numbers.

A CE designation is a crate engine, I would have to search futher to see what the FSM may be.

[75gmck25]

The casting number will give you the cars and dates that block casting was used. Its not very specific, but is always a good starting point. The engine assembly date is the next place to check, which should narrow things down a little.

Bruce

From www.Mortec.com

Block Casting Numbers
The block casting number on smallblock and big block Chevy V-8 motors is located on a ledge found at the rear of the block, most often on the driver's side. This ledge is below the deck of the block and the ledge forms the mating surface between the block and the transmission bellhousing. Some of the later model blocks have the casting number on the passenger side of this ledge. The number itself can have 6, 7 or 8 numeral digits. They might look like this "361959" or "3970010" or "14015445". The block casting numbers do not have any letters in them. There are sometimes individual letters found on blocks like "GM" or "CFD" for the Central Foundry Division, but they are not part of the block casting number. Also some of the later blocks have the size of the motor shown in liters. You may see a "5.0" (305) or "5.7" (350) cast on the rear ledge of a smallblock or a "7.4" on the side of a big block 454. On the side of some later blocks the last three digits of the block casting number are cast into the block, but these are difficult to see when the engine is in a vehicle.

Engine Assembly Date
The engine assembly date is a "stamped in" code that is stamped into the metal as opposed to a "raised" casting. These date codes are can be found in a number of locations on the block, but most often are found on a ledge that is visible when the motor is assembled. This ledge is found on the passenger side of the block deck at the front. If your alternator is on the passenger side of the motor, the ledge on the block deck is right below it. You may have to move the alternator to be able to read this engine assembly code. Some blocks have the engine assembly code on a flat portion of the block above the timing cover mating surface on the front of the block.


Engine Assembly Date/Suffix
There is another type of stamping found on some blocks. This is the "CE" code. You might see something like this "CE123456" on the front pad of the block deck on the passenger side. The "CE" which alternatively has been known to stand for "Chevrolet Engine" or "Crate Engine" was used on blocks that were warranty replacement motors. The "CE" prefix was also used on "over the counter" blocks and engines. If a customer had problems with his original motor, while it was under warranty, it was replaced with an engine that was stamped "CE" with a number of numeral digits following it which serialized that particular engine. Likewise if a purchaser bought a new motor from the Chevrolet Parts counter, the front pad on the pasenger side of the block may have been stamped with a "CE" code.

[crash]

So far all I've come up with is that it was a replacement engine, I can't find anything on the "FSM" which according to the guy selling me the motor will give me the year , etc, for buying parts.