According to the service manual the serial number for a VAC engine block should be located on the distributor side of the block. I can not find it there or any place else on the block. Any suggestions?

My 1944 VAC had an engine serial number, I will have to post a picture.

On the early engines without the raised vertical pad I have seen the number stamped horizontaly on the distributor side of the block at the rear near the head. Nick

Up through mid 1947 Continental built the engines to Case specs. When Case took over production at their engine plant they started putting the numbers on a raised pad behind the oil filter. Prior to that they were not numbered. Yours is an early model. The most noticable difference is the mount for the governor rod. Yours will have a pad with the 2 studs very close together, whereas the later ones have a wider pad. Several of the bolt-on pieces are different such as the linkage and the front cover. The later style did not have the access cover to the governor. The manifold changed at that time also from a one piece to a two piece with a different elbow. The early manifold sets much closer to the block which meant the air filter housing is different. Lee

Forgot to mention that these numbers will be engine serial numbers and not actual tractor serial numbers. They will not always tie back to an exact year model.

VAC were built at the Rock Island plant and did not have the serial number on the flange like the D, S and L series. The tag is the only thing with it on. There might be some other distinct features for your VAC that will help get close to the correct year. I"m not a VAC expert someone else might be able to help you more.

Is it not on the rear flange of the block? It could have been ground off at some point in time.

Nope, no serial number on the flange. The only number I could find on the block is a VT149, which is a part number? This number is not in the parts manual.