[WSSix]

Correct. The CE839012 decodes as follows. CE means Chevrolet Engine. 8 means it was built in 1968 and the rest is just a serial number stamped in sequence as the engines were completed. Apparently, the different engine plants had an allotment of numbers they could use. For example, Flint, where this engine was built, would use numbers 00000 through 49999 for their crate engines. Tonawanda might use 50000-74999 and so on. If the plant went through their allotment, A would be stamped after the CE to show the serial numbers had rolled over and started again.

This method started in 1968 and went to 1976.

I find this information interesting since it's a glimpse of our past and how we handled simple situations like running out of numbers to use.