A stamped 1/4" long dash after the production code number indicates a .010" O.S. production engine. It is not unusual to find the letter I used in place of the number 1 in the id numbers (this makes alteration more difficult). In some cases the letter I is intended, as in the case of year identifier character for 62. The VIN is the same as the engine serial number for 1957 to 64.
*V prefix dropped after engine number 1,000,000 reached in 1955.
NOTE 1: On the 1957 production code number, data is very scarce for the prefix characters ahead of the 3-digit date code. At present, it is easier to identify these engines by the serial number. There were few, if any, optional engines that year.
A stamped letter X before the production code number indicates a 60-50-70-700 series engine equipped with 9.5 to 1 compression ratio pistons.
NOTE 2: On the 1958 production code number, data is very scarce for the prefix characters ahead of the 3-digit date code. At present, it is easier to identify these engines by the serial number. There were few optional engines that year.
CANADIAN ENGINES, IDENIFICATION OF ENGINES USED WITH AUTOMATIC TRASMISSIONS - All 1953 Series
The 1953 passenger car engines that are used with automatic transmissions are identified in Canadian Production by the number "9" stamped in front of the engine serial number. The starting engine serial numbers for 1953 Production engines are B-119001
When the vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, the figure "9" will precede the engine number. For example, Buick engine serial #B-119001 would indicate Synchro-Mesh transmission. If the vehicle was equipped with automatic transmission, the engine serial number would then be W-9119001.
This numbering system may have been used thru 1963. At some point, the letter B may have been changed to C to indicate the more powerful engines used in the bigger cars.