The Cars & Parts catalog is quite useful. It has Vehicle ID plate information, too. The engine serial number (engine ID) information in the catalog only includes light truck information (as described by Pete). The Car & Parts catalog does not include information on casting codes and casting dates.

On the right side column of the link I gave are white-text links to GM Restoration Pack Manuals' serial number ID pages for various years. These documents include serial numbers for various parts for all vehicles - unfortunately, some years are missing (thank you once again, Keith Hardy).

Here are direct links:

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/models/index.htm

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/index.htm