MO Block

[yankeechaser]

I ran across a MO Block from a 02 built car. My Z has a 678 68 dated corvette stamped block. I may never find a real Z Block is it worth the investment even if it's not my Vin.
Opinions please.

[x66 714]

What is the VIN? I've been looking for mine for 49 years....Joe

[rocco376]

I have often wondered what the odds are of finding an original engine for a car.  I would guess, astronomical.  My opinion-if you have a nice Chevy motor in the car, why bother with spending the money on something else,that is still just a nice Chevy motor, not original, and may deprive someone else that is looking for that engine..  Just my 2 cents.

[169INDY]

I think there are various threads on this forum discussing the "hierarchy" of NOM Motor scenarios and the relation to value and vehicle desirability.
Opining may vary.

I am not sure the Best Search syntax to gather those thread.

Other will chime in with good data-results

Same situ as you are. (*Mine is a CE, no paper but very plausable based on as found and document conditions) Tough go for us 68 Guys for sure

[maroman]

Personally, I would rather have a CE block then the wrong one. It makes more sense as to why it was changed.

[MO]

I would go with the known MO block, assuming the original car it belongs to is MIA. A CE block could have been a variety of engines. It would be a very good option also, but not as good as a real MO in a real Z.   

[bcmiller]

Opinions will vary on what is best. I have posted my opinion before and here is what it is now. This may be different than in the past.

Desirability of a block.

1. The original one to the car, the one that came in the car at the time of vehicle assembly.
2. A CE block with warranty paperwork to prove it was replaced under warranty.
3. A block of the same year and same 2 letter engine code (or 3 if after 1969) but from another car.
4. A CE block of unknown history.
5. Any other non original block of the same general time frame.
 

[FRANKTHECRANK]

What is the VIN? I've been looking for mine for 49 years....Joe

Same here,...owned the car for 44 years, semi-actively looking for mine for at least 30 of those years.

Although an 02 built block would be too early for mine, I'd like to see the VIN anyway, please?

[x66 714]

What is the VIN? I've been looking for mine for 49 years....Joe

Same here,...owned the car for 44 years, semi-actively looking for mine for at least 30 of those years.

Although an 02 built block would be too early for mine, I'd like to see the VIN anyway, please?

Mine most likely was a 02xx or something close to that. Not always 1st in, 1st out.....Joe

[GMAD_Van Nuys]

I have a 1987 parts catalog from MacPherson Chevrolet and a "smallblock V-8 bare block, high tin alloy casting, 4-inch bore, 4-bolt caps, 2.45 inch main journal cranks," had a list price of $631, but available for $536.35.  I'd imagine that a replacement MO block back in the 1970s was available from GM for a similar price and if someone damaged their original block, they would probably just replace it as matching numbers back then wasn't an issue.