Engine identification

[Rusty Ferrell]

Some time ago I purchased a ‘55 Speedster. No engine number, don’t really care if it is a matching engine or not but I don’t see any casting number for the casting dates, only the three stamped numbers. Thought I would find something after I removed the third piece, nothing. Reaching out for the experts as to possible other ways to determine manufacturing dates or build date.
As always, thank you for your help.
Rusty
Virginia Beach

[John Brooks]

The case half's should have several stamped numbers on the top right side of the split. One should start 527 or 528 for a 1500cc 616/ for a 1600 type engine. And the other will be the case sequence number. Then back under the fan there will be a 3 digit number to match the 3 pieces. Sounds like yours has a new 3rd piece with no number. Not all that unusual.

Casting dates are cast in the case not stamped. There will be a round impression in the casting with some numbers.

[James Davies]

Post photos. Without them, we're only guessing.

Generally, you should be able to find an embossed casting date inside the inside the third piece on a '55 case, next to the KS 532 part number, but since yours has no internal or engine numbers, it is probably later case, and this will be different. Anyway, see photo below on a '55 case with a "3? over 4" embossed date, which is the thirty-?th week of 1954.