"Does it matter whether its 55 or 54? "
"its" - meaning the truck and/or meaning the engine block/head?
Does it matter to
you if the truck or the engine block/head is a 54 or a 55?
" . . is there a VIN on the frame somewhere to verify?"
There is no VIN anywhere (in today's meaning of VIN).
There is/was a Vehicle Serial Number metal tag on the cab, between the driver's side hinge openings. If you find that tag, post the information here.
Here are some serial numbers:
1954 truck serial numbers 1955 first series truck serial numbers Post the engine code, the block and head codes, and the body/vehicle tag code and you will have a high probability of IDing you truck/parts.
That ID is still not absolutely conclusive (things could have been swapped-in and/or swapped-out), but if all codes jibe, you have a high probability of IDing your truck
