Hi Adrian
As you can guess engine serial numbers and engine casting numbers have been discussed many times over the years on MLU. Finding these discussions with there wealth of information is often the problem.
To get you started though the engine serial number is located in two places both on the side with the distributor visible location is just to the rear of the distributor, a second serial number is under the lip of the valve side cover.
I'll try and find the MLU thread that has the information on the casing number which are the primary way to determine the date of manufacture of the block.
Good luck with you search for a CMP
Cheers Phil