[njsteve]

As for the VIN not being there, it depends on the build date of the car. The new Federal VIN law came into effect in the middle of 1968. So the factory actually handstamped the VINs on the top of the bellhousing flange of the engines that went onto the end-of-model-year cars to comply with the new law. You may not have looked there yet. Look in the area where the oil pressure sending unit screws into the block. That outer flange area was where they stamped the VINs. I've seen some 1968 stampings that were half on the block and half on the trans bellhousing.