The Serial # should be located either on the LH rear dropout (where the R. wheel goes in), or on the Lower RH side of the Head Tube (where the fork goes into the frame). You can determine month/ year of manufacture thus:

THE SCHWINN DATE CODES BY YEAR,MONTH AND DAY

Also, look for a copy of Glenn's Complete Manual of Bicycle Mechanics; it's basically print of the old Schwinn Factory Service manual, and has many photos of components that were used on your Continental.