[QUOTE=Frosty;73970]Is engine stamped VR66178 correct for a 253 Sandman built 10/79?[/QUOTE

No, afaik VR is a WB commercial engine number or a Commodore QRXXXXXX or ZRXXXXXXXX would be more appropriate, although, if you don't have the original build sheet or Dealer Delivery paperwork to show the original engune number for the car you can only ever get a "date appropriate" engine. This means an engine built in the correct time frame for your car, and unless you have the original engine and provinance, any other engine is as good as another