Matching the VIN to the engine

[NihmX]

About a year ago my cousin passed away leaving behind his cherry S13. The odometer reads 227k, but I have service records for a lot of repairs that he had done to it in the last couple of years. In the course of having a new cat put on, the mechanic asked if the engine had been swapped out, as it did not run like it had 227k on it. Sure enough, a family friend had indicated that the engine had been rebuilt/replaced about 30k ago. Unfortunately they are no records for this particular service so my question: Is there a way to match the serials on a 92 S13 coupe, or a way to find/indentify the year the engine was made from a serial/block code/vin/ein? Or failing that, any other reliable way I can tell if the swap has been performed?

tl,dr: how can I tell if my engine has been swapped/rebuilt

thank you very much!

[zenkistic]

Google search result:

On 90-92 KA24DE engine the "serial number was stamped on the left side top edge of the cylinder block (near bell-housing) when viewed from the driver's seat."

source: Chilton's via 240sxforums.

[NihmX]

found that, found a number, but its not a complete vin as far as I can tell (751502x) with a small (B) stamped under it. I can find nothing online about what this number means, or what -if any- relation it has to the chassis vin.
thanks again!

[zenkistic]

a guess would be that these 6 numbers should match the last 6 numbers of your VIN. I can go to my car and take a look.

[NihmX]

that would be a big help, as mine do not match (101054) are the last sic of the vin

[zenkistic]

sorry mate, I ll try to check it tomorrow, I actually went to check it but I found an issue with my harness. In the meantime, I am bumping this in case someone knows...

[ash16847]

Is there any way someone could take a couple pics on how to get to it, because on my 91 chuki I cannot find the number.. and I was told there was a swap when one of the previous owners did a 5 speed swap so id like to find out....
thanks

[zenkistic]

For kade

[from 96 fsm under "General Information"]
Can a fellow niconaut do the crosscheck?

[NihmX]

That's the spot. Pretty easy to find with a flashlight. Will try And take a pic later.

[ash16847]

I looked, with a flashlight, and could not find it... I looked, believe me. lol

[NihmX]

when its light out tomorrow I will take a picture and circle the number. Also, I just confirmed that the engine has been replaced, and my VINs dont match. Can anyone confirm that if the engine is original they would match?

[ash16847]

Well, would the same work on a SOHC? I can always look on my 89 pignose if need be... the chuki is red '91 the pignose is purple 89 :P XD

[NihmX]

I dont know, I can only confirm the location for a DOHC motor.

[ash16847]

^ Get pic yet?