The engine BLOCK should have a "V" in the serial number if it's a 259,
and a "P" if it's a 289. '61 blocks are silver painted. 259 pistons have
a flat top; 289's have a dished top. Aside from the crank and pistons,
289 and 259 are the same in most respects. A '61 block won't have a
full-flow oil filter base at the rear of the passenger side of the
block. Late '62 and onwards do.

The engine serial number is found on a flat machined surface on the top
of the block at the very front, "between" the cylinder banks, but offset
toward the driver's side. If you see an upper-case "I" in the number,
read it as a "1" (one).  Gordon Richmond may 2002
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P = 289 , J= built in Sept the next digit should be a 4 for 1964 then a
number up to 31 for day of the month the engine was built.
.... the year/date  code is the assy date of the engine, not
model year.  But they didnt use this system in '61......
-----------
(61 289s started with number P-74,701 ?)
(62 289s started with P-79,801?)
------
(1962)
On the top of the engine - front right corner(as you face the car)- 
just in front of the lifter valley cover- to the left of the oil stem- will 
be a small machined pad with a serial number stamped on it. 
    If it is the "original" engine, the numbers are shown below: 
Engine number starting at V534901and ascending -259 cubic inch V-8 
Engine number starting at P79801 and ascending- 289 cubic inch V-8 
Engine number starting at VC19601 " " -Canada built 259 V-8 
Engine number starting at PC2801 " " -Canada built 289 V-8 

A Studebaker engine transplanted from a 57-58 Packard will have a number 
beginning with an "L" or "LS" 


Cloverleaf emblem on block = the cloverleaf was the heavy duty engine with 
various upgrades including: chrome plated piston ring, H.D. inlet and exhaust 
valves, exhaust valve rotary caps, H.D. trimetal main bearings (2,3,4), 
trimetal connecting rod bearings.
---------
//////////
What year is my 289 # PK330?////////

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That's the new engine numbering system introduced for the 1964 model year.
P
stands for 289 (exc.'55) V for 259, just as in previous years. The second
letter is a code for  month of manufacture:
A=Jan  B=Feb  C=Mar  D=Apr  E=May  F=June  G=July  H=Aug  J=Sept  K=Oct
M=Nov  N=Dec
First number represents year of manufacture. Since we know that South Bend
production ceased in December 1963, we probably won't see a number 4 in
this
location.
Remaining numbers show the day of manufacture. Unique thing about this
system is that there can be several cars out there sharing the same engine
number!