351W Block Stamping

[MachDave]

On 351 Windsors, can anyone confirm if part of your VIN should appear stamped on the engine block as the engine number.

ie.   "9 F  123456"

123456 being the last part of the VIN, and 9 F the first two characters.

My initial internet searches confirmed that this was done, but have just read the "KarMustang" webpage which says different..............

Other than Boss 351 Cleveland engines, 351 V-8 Windsors and 351 V-8 Clevelands were not serial numbered to the car. They were date coded at the time they were cast.

reference:
https://www.karmustang.com/product.php?productid=16146

[69ISH]

I personally can not confirm but I have always been led to believe that Ford started doing engine stamps in 1968 and I always believed they were located just behind and just below the left (driver's) head. Top-left-rear of the block in the small area below the head and above the bellhousing.
I have never had a correct date coded engine in any of my cars so I can not confirm and the only engines I have had that were stamped both date coded to 1971.

[jademustang]

On 351 Windsors, can anyone confirm if part of your VIN should appear stamped on the engine block as the engine number.

ie.   "9 F  123456"

123456 being the last part of the VIN, and 9 F the first two characters.

Some were stamped as per your sample and some were not stamped at all, I don't know the dertiming factor to have the number stamped.
Mine is stamped 9R 123456

(Edit - I've added a couple of words I missed)

[69ISH]

I was led to believe that it's the partial VIN of the car it came in from the factory, except no body code and the engine code letter is replaced by the assembly plant code but I am no expert hopefully a concourse judge will chime in and clear this up.