Numbers Game.
I have recenlty purchased a 69z28rs and I am trying to identify the engine. I have torn the engine down and and found 4.030" dia bore, 3.000" diameter stroke and 4 bolt mains. The stamped number is CE9B23598 and the casting number is 3970010. I think this is a 302 replacement engine that ahs been bore .030" oversize, but when I refer to some published information on the casting number 3970010 I get mixed results from 302, 327 and 350.
Can any one help, as I am starting a major rebuild.

The CE code indicates it is the 3598th warrantee engine (could have been a complete engine, fitted block, short block or bare block) built in the Flint engine plant in 1969. Check the B there shouldn't be a letter there, maybe another 0 (023598). If you took the engine apart it should be obvious if it was a 302. The 302 is the only engine with a knuckle (raised section) on the top of the piston, all other small blocks used flat top with valve cutouts, or dished top pistons. Also the 302 is the only mechanical lifter equipped engine used in 69 Camaros. The crank is also different in a 302, the rear flange has a single triangular notch cutout of the circular flange. A 350 crankshaft flange has two triangular notches cut out at 10 and 2 oclock and two flat sides below the cut outs. A 327 crankshaft has two triangular notches cut out of the circular flange at the 10 and 2 oclock postions. The 307 crank looks like the 327 except there is an additional section of the flange added on at the 5 to 7 oclock position. Looks almost like is should be a counterweight for the material removed on the opposite side of the flange.

I realize that the pistons, cam and lifters couold have been changed over the past 32 years, but if they have been then all you have is a modified engine of unknown pedigree.

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Mark Canning
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11
My 69 Pace Car (http://www.townisp.com/~markcanning/camaro/7498pc4.jpg)

Hey Mark thanks for the reply and I am sure that I have a 302 now, because of the trialgular casting in the end of the crank flange. I was pretty sure before by measuring the stoke for and it was 3.000" and also has 4 bolt mains. The "B" really exists in the stamping and all the data I have researched also does not indicat that a alpha character belong in this location.
Thanks again!