Engine type

[Tbuff23]

I purchased a 57 2 door hard topi am trying to find out what motor is installed in it. The #’s on the right front is CE9B35438. Can anybody help?
Thanks

[Rick_L]

Welcome to the site.

Unfortunately, an engine stamping that begins with "CE" doesn't give you any info. CE usually means "crate engine" and it could apply to any replacement engine.

What you need to do is get the block casting number from the bellhousing area, and the head casting number from under the valve covers. A photo of the engine would be useful too.

[BamaNomad]

Actually the CE9B35438 means it's a 'Chevrolet Engine' built as a Service/Warranty Replacement. The '9' indicates it's a 1969 engine, the 'B' indicates that the sequence no (35438) is the Second Time (for Chevrolet) to go thru the sequence for the year, so your engine is the 135,438 warranty engine for that year! Beginning with the 1968 model year (late summer 1967), General Motors had to begin *uniquely* identifying Warranty replacement engines and transmissions they installed (this change was due to the state of Georgia Requiring that all engines and transmissions be uniquely identified! To know which engine you have, you could start by getting the Casting Number from the rear of the engine block which will identify which engines it could be. Just guessing I'd guess you have a block casting number of 3970010 block which was the most common V8 block of that year and was built as either a 350 (most common) which was put into trucks and cars and machined for either 2 or 4-bolt mains, or it could be a 302 from a Z28 (which would be more rare). Get the casting date also which might tell us more.

See the GM memo attached:

11999
12000

[Tbuff23]

Ok thanks good info I was told it might be a 350 but he was not sure. I will get the #’s and attach a photo of the motor.
again Thanks

[Tbuff23]

The stamp on the head reads 3927185 so it could 1 of 3 engines 307,350,327
i am still trying to get a picture of the block casting number.
the car is being shipped from Mich to California so as soon as it is delivered
i will work on getting those. Thanks

[Tbuff23]

1201612016

[Rick_L]

The 185 heads have small valves and ports. They are certainly not performance heads.

[Tbuff23]

1202312024
the following is the casting numbers. So it narrowed down to a 302 or a 350.
what I would like to know is how would I order parts for it?
thanks again

[BamaNomad]

That depends on what parts you need Tbuff... for some parts you may need MORE information from the engine you have to determine what you need. Photos, stampings, castings, etc...

[markm]

Never heard of a 185 casting, many 69 350s had 186 its a great head as far as production heads go.

[Rick_L]

185 was a low performance head from the mid 70s. I had a 350 core that had some way back when. The heads are worthless, 1.72" intakes and 76 cc chambers. They were on a 010 block just like this one.

[Tbuff23]

12025

[Tbuff23]

What would a good head be to put on this motor?
thanks

[markm]

As far as factory castings go the 186 is a good 64 cc head with accessory holes used on HP 302/350, 69/70.

[BamaNomad]

If it's '186' (and NOT 185- which I'm not familiar with either).. It's a GOOD head, as good as factory heads of the time can be. They were machined for either 1.94" or 2.02" intake valves (depending on the engine it was to be installed on). 1.94" went on 300 hp 327 and 295-300hp 350's, and the 2.02 went on 350-370 hp 350's, and Z28 302 ci engines. Need the date from the engine block. Don't change anything on the engine until we get it figured out. Get the date of the heads also (under the valve covers)... your engine *might* have some value there (to some people) if it turns out to be a HP or SHP engine (even if it's a warranty engine). Many people are restoring late 60's Camaros, Novas, Chevelles, etc.. and if they are missing their original engine, having a date appropriate correct CE engine is their next best choice!

Please take some overall photos of the engine, intake manifold, carburetor, etc... including exhaust manifolds, and heads under the valve covers (and another better photo of the back of the engine block which captures the cast date!).

[Tbuff23]

On a new subject, I knoW this has been beat to death but my speedometer is not working when I disconnect the cable from the transmission it works with a drill up to 20 or 30 mph but bounces all over. I changed the cable but still it does not work I took out the gauge I cleaned and lubed it with the drill it would reach 10 mph it still will not work in the car. I changed the cable to no avail you can hear the cable spinning as I drive down the road. Any suggestions. Do I need a new Speedo.
thanks in advance

[Tbuff23]

120721207212071

BamaNomad,
it is a 185 not a 186. The only other #’s are GM 48
and J12 8 attached are some photos of the #’s on the heads.
And engine I hope this helps. Thanks