Can anyone tell me what " CRR " decodes to as the last digits on the egine stamp code on a 66 Chevelle with a Dealer installed L72 427....... the owner claims ordered and delivered with the L72 but does ackowledge the engine installed by dealer ......

Three character suffix codes weren't used until late 1969 on. Doesn't sound like a dealer installed 427 in a 66 but the 'CRR' code is correct for a 70 454/450 engine. graemlins/hurray.gif

Any casting numbers on the block?

Thanks for the info .....will do some more checking on this car

Just a simple question, because I don't know :

Wouldn't a "crate" engine (not warrantee replacement) installed by a dealer have NO suffix code?

I know warrantee engines usually had the CE code, but what about crate motors, did they use the same codes? (I didn't think they did).

Would a dealer switch a brand new motor (like Yenko did, pre-COPO) with a "warrantee" engine? Wouldn't Chevrolet get upset, because it wasn't really a warrantee issue?

And as for VIN stamps, would the dealer, mechanic or car owner even think of adding those, would they even car back in 1966?

I would think the person having the "dealer" install a 427 in their new car back in 1966 (or so) wouldn't care about it supposedly being "matching numbers" or even the original engine. I didn't think anybody cared until much later when the cars became collectible... Sure, maybe the owner would still use "396" decals to fool people.

it appears this car did have a L72installed by the dealer at delivery in 66 ....invoices etc etc .....I just looked at the block pad and saw the ccr code ( no vin) and assumed this trhe original engine ...... never asked the owner if still the original block ....... so appears somewhere along the way the block got changed ......going to do some more checking but everyone asociated with car since new has known it as a L72 car

I know new crate motors have their own codes. I would assume any dealer installed engines like the 427s would be classified as a warranty or replacement engine for a factory 427 car like a Corvette or Impala and would be coded as such. I'd almost bet the cost of the dealer installation was somewhat offset by the dealer retaining the engine being pulled. That is, the dealer sells you a $2000 warranty engine for say $1500 installed and they use/sell your original engine as a no/low mileage engine to someone else. As far as GM was concerned the dealer sold one car and one engine as long as the dealer paid GM the dealer price for the new engine as an over-the-counter sale as opposed to a warranty replacement, there'd be no problem with accounting for it.

Strictly speculation on my part, but it makes business sense to me and I don't personally know anyone who had this done in the mid 60s.