My sister traded for a 2000 montero sport with the 3 liter and the guy swore the engine was swapped. The odometer reads 240,000 miles and he's claiming a new engine was put in. I'm trying to find the Vin number on the and on the chassis to fine out if he's lying or not. So far it's looking doubtful. He's also claimed he blew the transmission of the car she gave him on the ride home and I know it was a good transmission and I know she kept an eye on the fluids

 

I think your best bet to find this might be to PM user larry4406
He is in the process of rebuilding the engine and had seed any possible engine numbers and codes up close and personal. You can also check out his thread "2002 montero sport 3.5L engine removal" to see if he has that info there already. Granted, it is a different engine, but I'd think the identification numbers will be in similar place.

 

On my 2002 3.5L 6G74 the VIN is riveted to the engine block on the driver's side pan rail behind the exhaust connection to the manifold. You can see the outline of the removed oil pan.

Attached is a picture of my engine upside down on an engine stand.

Hope this helps.