Trev wrote:I think the "P" is a restamped engine buy the police? Just what I've heard.
Yep, "p" Prefix usually denotes a replacement engine number given to a replacement block and stamped in manually.The numbers in those days were given out by the Police in the various states and were used for unstamped new engine blocks.
I used to think it was given out as a replacement number for a previously stolen and recovered engine but after a post on the FE/FC forum a few years back on the same topic and input from Ken McClean ( and FE/FC guru ) it appears that wasn't correct.