Identifying a Welder

[Squidbilly]

I have a Miller Big 40 that some previous owners painted, and I mean painted...over and in everything. It welds, but their mods leave me without a serial number. I spoke with Miller, and we ran the engine number, but it pulls up for a Bobcat, so they can't cross reference it. I took off the new face plate they put on, but I don't see a serial number. Was it just a tag, or was it stamped? Miller said these 76-78 models only had one serial number, so there's no chance of finding a second one. I know its a 76-78 based on the manual's depictions and offerings (gauges, ignition, etc). I've been searching Continental's site via Wisconsin Motors, and when I type in the serial number, it says the engine was made in 1943. I don't believe it. I can't find any real info on the 163. Can someone tell me when they started making these engines? Any tips on where and how the serial numbers were put on a 76-78 Big 40. I'm okay if I don't pinpoint the year, but I thought that I would try and at least find the engine's DOB. Thanks for any help.
Any tips on redoing the body casing. The doors don't drop down completely. I just mounted it to a trailer rig built for it, and I'm thinking of redoing the housing case, something other than flip doors.
Thanks

[H80N]

I have a Miller Big 40 that some previous owners painted, and I mean painted...over and in everything. It welds, but their mods leave me without a serial number. I spoke with Miller, and we ran the engine number, but it pulls up for a Bobcat, so they can't cross reference it. I took off the new face plate they put on, but I don't see a serial number. Was it just a tag, or was it stamped? Miller said these 76-78 models only had one serial number, so there's no chance of finding a second one. I know its a 76-78 based on the manual's depictions and offerings (gauges, ignition, etc). I've been searching Continental's site via Wisconsin Motors, and when I type in the serial number, it says the engine was made in 1943. I don't believe it. I can't find any real info on the 163. Can someone tell me when they started making these engines? Any tips on where and how the serial numbers were put on a 76-78 Big 40. I'm okay if I don't pinpoint the year, but I thought that I would try and at least find the engine's DOB. Thanks for any help.
Any tips on redoing the body casing. The doors don't drop down completely. I just mounted it to a trailer rig built for it, and I'm thinking of redoing the housing case, something other than flip doors.
Thanks

some pics sure would help

[cruizer]

the f163 came out in 1966, before that there was a f162. Yes pictures will help, especially a pic of the idle system. Yours is in the 70's for sure.. Now they can paint all they want to though the serial number is stamped in the upper front plate in the early big 40's