DBWells,
You sound just like I did when I first started looking
I also saw the stamped numbers on the flat spot. You need to look much further back
to the left as you look at the side of the engine. The numbers are casted (raised) letters and
much bigger than those stamped numbers. They're almost touching the starter. Do you have a foot starter ? (probably doesn't matter).
Imagine as you stand on the side looking in. If you were to reach down and touch the starter, reach a little further until you touch the block. Now slide your hand downwards until the starter
stops your hand. You're there ! It's that little valley (caused by the starter and block) is where my numbers are. Another way to look at it is if you removed the starter and wiped the
block you'd see and feel the numbers. With the starter in position, it's more challenging to find
and read them.
If you still have a problem, I can send you a jpeg of where mine are.
cheers.
