Finding/Checking VIN or Eng Block

My friend has a 428 CJ in his hood, but it was donated by a different car. After researching the CJ in its history, I noticed that the CJ was put in a whole bunch of different cars, not just the mustang. So I was wondering if there is some place (free) that I could find and check the engine block #'s to see where exactly this engine came from. I also would like to know because we need to make absolutely sure it is a 428 before we can adjust valve lash and timing, etc. out of a service manual. (I'm getting helped on the valve timing part... someone who's worked on CJ's specifically)

Is there a directory on the internet I can search the VINs or do I have to go a different route?

as far as FE motors go there is now way of telling what it is or where the block came from I found a FE motor the block casting # said it was a 428 cj tore it down measured the bore and checked crank casting what did I have a 390 so block casting # no good.