How to identify the size of your engine and who built it has come up more than once so I took a few photos the last time I had the fan shroud and alternator off. Bear in mind that this info applies to just one engine builder (I think it's Roland Rascon/Rason Motorsports) who is one of the suppliers to Vintage Speedsters.
I bought the car used and think it's 8 years old (more on this later). Unfortunately, I no longer have the 36hp-style shroud that came with the car and it had the clearest indication of the size of the engine. The shroud had 1915 painted in white on the side with the fan opening. You would only see this if you looked into the engine bay at an oblique angle, used a mirror, pulled the shroud, or dropped the engine.
I apologize in advance for the grubbiness of the photos, but 1) it's an engine; 2) it's sometimes driven on dusty roads; 3) it has almost 17000 miles on it.
In front of the alternator stand, i.e., under the alternator itself, is this painted on the block:
It's just barely legible, but it appears to be the engine size - 1915.
Next, there are the following marks on the block in the space between the fan shroud and the flywheel housing. Again, you can't see these unless you use a mirror, pull the shroud, or drop the engine. This picture is taken from the back of the car looking towards the firewall:
Based on an old thread, I believe the flaming skull is one of Roland Rascon's signature marks.
To the left, sitting almost under the doghouse oil cooler, is this neat little note:
It might be hard to see, but I'm pretty sure it says 12 - 6 - 05. Could it be the engine's birthday? Should I get a cake?
Hope this helps.
The engine has been reliable, by the way, despite the fact that I've been learning how to maintain it as I go.
