Is the engine number supposed to match the body number on a 51 S88?
Is there a place I can go to decode the engine number same car?

 

No, I don't think so. It wasn't until the late '60s that a VIN derivative was stamped on the engine. I think the engine number will tell you what engine it is, so you'll know if it's correct for that year, but there's no way to tell if the engine is the one that the car came with originally from the factory.

As far as decoding the number, I know of no website that will tell you. Just post the number here, and someone will know and answer.

 

OK The engine number is 8C191470

 

Actually if you have the original owner's manual it should have the engine number penned in by the selling dealer. At least they did in'55. Does not match the VIN, but you may be able to correlate if the estimated engine build date falls in line with the car build date. I believe the service manual has the breakdown on the engine code - probably year or use code/plant code/ and sequential order with in the range used for that model year.