[Skunk]

Well hi everybody. I am new to this great information hot rod exchange a I truly believe this is a great idea. I recently bought a 1957 Chevy truck 1300 series and I need help in figuring out the displacement of my motor. The intake numbers read as follows: 3927183. The head numbers register as 3927185. The casting numbers on the block are 3932338. The code on the block is CE883016 with 6324 below it. I have done some research and the numbers on the intake and heads indicate being from 1969 and of a 327 small block. The casting numbers indicate being from 1957 to 1967 and a 283 small block. The code numbers, on the other hand, indicate a 265 small block. There is also an unusual breather hole on the upper rear of the block that I have not figured out what it is. Any help is greatly appreciated since I have been debating whether to rebuild this engine or not.

 

[MI2600]

Does the block have engine mounts that bolt to the front of the block or on the side? The '55-57 blocks had front mounts only. My reference shows that block casting number was used '56-67 on 283s.

It looks like the heads could be from a 307, 327, or a 350. From that I would guess they would be fairly large chamber.

The intake was '69 as you stated and used on 307 and 327s.

If I had to make a guess, I'd say you have a 283. Large chamber heads on a 265 would have very low compression.

 

[DoubleVision]

On small block chevy`s I`ve never seen the suffix code at the start of the numbers, there always last. I did some digging and found the following information, I hope it helps you:
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.

 

[Skunk]

Engine Mounts.

Thanks MI2600 for the information. The engine mounts are indeed on the sides of the motor. By the way, what is the breather hole on the back of the engine for? To what should it be connected to? I read that Chevrolet continued using 283 tooling during the last of the 1960's to build 327's. Do you think that if this is the case that maybe this odd ball engine could turn out to be a 327. I have added a pair od headers and it revs like a son of a gun. I will be opening up the engine to look at the crankshaft to determine if the displacement is 327. Again, thank you very much for the information. Keep in touch.

Thank you for the information Double Vision. Your input does clarify things. I have read that the CE code was used during 1968 to the present to indicate a warranty motor. If this is the case I can not explain how the engine casting numbers indicate this motor to be between 1957 to 1967 and the code to indicate 1968 to the present. Again thanks alot for the information and keep in touch.

 

[camaroman7d]

From what you said in your last post my guess would be it's a 327. I did not look up the casting numbers though. It is either a 283 or a 327 I fairly positive about that. Since the intake and heads point at a 327. The breather hole in the rear of the block also point at it being a 327.

Royce

 

[Skunk]

Thanks.

Thank you Camaroman7d. Were the 327's the only ones to come out with a breather hole on the back of the engine? By the way you have one hell of a Camaro. Is that rocket street legal? I'll bet that when people see you on their rear view mirror they move out of the way. Stay in touch.

 

[docvette]

Breather hole

Doc here imp:

That "Breather Hole" was a Road draft tube for crankcase ventilation, and was on pre PVC engines. 265, 283, 327 sixes and the like.

Get a PVC valve, remove the tube, and pop in a grommet for a PCV valve, Plumb it to a manifold source, install a positive breather filler cap...and you'll have a much cleaner engine! A road draft tosses oil overboard and makes a mess of your block and undercarriage.

Doc here imp:

 

[camaroman7d]

Skunk,
Yes, the Camaro is street legal and lots of fun. I actually just sold it but, kept the running gear for my currnet project.

Doc chimed in already and stated the "breather" hole was present on other engines as well.

Doc,
What engine do you think he has?

Royce

 

[docvette]

Cast

Doc here imp:

Well, I think he may have read the second to last number wrong, It should read, 3932388 in order to be a 327, 2 bolt main, 69-71.

I don't find a listing for "38" at all , but there is one for "88" and easy to mistake in the dark...

But yeah, It's probably a 327...

Doc imp:

 

[johnnya]

"It should read, 3932388 in order to be a 327, 2 bolt main, 69-71."

There were no '70-'71 327's, if it were a '69 327 it would not have the hole for the road draft tube. The fact that it has a breather hole means it absolutely is no newer than '67.
johnny

 

[camaroman7d]

Skunk it sounds like you might not be the only one confused on this one, LOL. There are a bunch of guys that know their stuff here, we'll get it figured out.

Royce

 

[MI2600]

Yes...well maybe.

Skunk,

There should be a casting date on the top rear of the block behind where the distributor is. That may clarify some.