engine spec by serial number

[Larry B]

I have been looking around the gov. surplus items lately. I am not looking for any definit item, just curious whats for sale and price.  This site and may other often list the engine as "diesel" - that all --but they give the engine serial number. With serial only is there a web site that will give engine specs or do I still have to know manufacturer --eg. Cat, Detroit, Kabota,etc?  Same thing often applies to tran.- might say only "automatic".  Some of my best garage sale finds where when I was not really hunting. Thanks
           Larry B