Originally Posted By: Titen
Your VIN number is the engine number


Perhaps this is true in a re-titled car but not originally. The OEM VIN is found on a plate on the drivers side door. These were attached with screws so I guess perhaps they could easily go missing . . .

Mine is in tact and has a prefix is 9GKH. Which can be decoded here:
VIN Decoder

Engine serial numbers for '49 had a prefix of GAA (Flint) or GAM (Tonawanda). In '50 the prefixes were HAA and HAM respectively. Those can be decoded here:
The Old Car Manual Project

A replacement engine fitted years later may not be coded at all - or may be coded with numbers that aren't contemporary with the vintage of the vehicle.

regards,
stock49