Today? 65 Barracuda ENGINE # knowledge needed!

The fender tag should have a 30 (2bbl) or 31 (4bbl.) under the upper case AB if it's an original V8 car. The VIN should start V85 for a '65 V8 Barracuda. The V and 8 should be stamped into the plate from the outside whereas the 5 and the rest of the numbers are stamped into the plate from the backside. As caveman has listed there various block castings above the starter and below the head gasket on the drivers side of the block. There is also a stamped year code and engine size on the front of the block on the drivers side just below the head gasket. For a '65 model is should say A273 (bring a flashlight and scraper!). The VIN is not stamped into the engine so there is really no "matching numbers" other than the casting numbers and date codes. Your other presumptions are correct.