I just purchased a 1971 LT-1 conv. Need help

[scuby22]

Hi, I'm in need of some help. One thing that I am researching is the stamping in the VIN location. The car has a "CE" number stamp on the pad. Everything I research about "CE" blocks indicates that there is no way to document where the engine came from. The only recommendations that I have been given are to check the casting number and make sure it's a 3970010 block. Then make sure the casting date code is correct. The car was assembled in January of 1971. The block was cast in December of 1970. It sure looks like it could be an authentic dealer replacement. The nice thing is that the car was originally sold at the local dealership. All the titles indicate that the car has never left a 100 mile radius. I have contacted all but one of the original owners and no one has ever done any engine work to the car. All the numbers (excluding the block) match. I have checked the following:
Heads, intake, carb, alternator, water pump, TI (still has orig coil with sticker on it.), 6500 Tach, trans. (vin matches), rear end, single fuel return.
Any advice would be great. I have the second owner sending me original pictures of when he purchased the car. Pretty cool

Thank you

 

[scuby22]

I was hopeing for some feedback....

Please comment if you can.

Thanks

 

[tonyk72]

I believe the CE is a warrenty replacment block, at some time the original engine must have been replaced.
Where abouts in NH are you? I can't believe I missed this one...I can usually smell an LT-1 for sale a mile away.

Do you have the tank sticker and/or have you looked for it?

I will be dropping my tank this Sunday looking for mine.

 

[bradfordsvettes]

a ce prefix is a warranty block or over the counter dealer sale :eyerole steve

 

[scuby22]

what about the driver door sticker?

what do the numbers on the driver's door sticker tell you? Anything?

 

[rainman]

All that you can get from that sticker is the VIN and month/year of production in upper right corner. Sounds like a great car.

 

[scuby22]

door sticker

I heard that the numbers on the bottom left could tell you something. somebody said they could be a type of engine code. Anyone know what they are for?

 

[rainman]

I had never heard that, but checking the sticker on my 71 it appears to be true. The numbers in the bottom left are difficult to read but appear to be ??1CGZ. The CGZ is the engine suffix code for 71 LT-1. The other numbers may correspond to the engine pad stamping. On my car the engine stamp is 0401CGZ. What are the numbers on your sticker? I checked my 70 and there apperaed to have never been numbers stamped there.

 

[tonyk72]

This may help...

http://geocities.com/motorcity/downs/3000/ceblock.html