[Jeff H]

No, the VIN stamping along the oil filter flange is a rough cast area, not machined. But you can find a block with no stamping and add one so I would say they can definitely be restamped in that manner. It's not quite the same thing as decking the block and restamping it up front, but it's a way to get a #'s matching motor when the original was long gone. The partial VIN is up on the cowl and behind the heater blower. That can prove the VIN tag matches the body but without paperwork and original drivetrain it doesn't prove too much more.