How to Find Your Small Engine Model Number

When you call a repair shop, order a part, or look up a repair manual, you will need your engine model number — not just the brand of your mower, snowblower, or generator.

This catches a lot of people off guard. The label on the mower deck says "Troy-Bilt." The engine has its own separate label with its own brand, model, and type numbers. These are different things. The mower deck label does not help a parts supplier look up a carburetor.

Here is exactly where to find the model number on the most common small engines.

Why the engine model number matters

Small engine manufacturers — Briggs & Stratton, Honda, Kawasaki, Kohler, Tecumseh — supply engines to dozens of equipment brands. A Briggs engine on a Husqvarna mower is the same Briggs engine that might appear on a Craftsman, Toro, or MTD mower. The mower brands each put their own label on the deck, but the engine is the same part from the same manufacturer.

Parts (carburetor kits, filters, spark plugs, governor springs) are keyed to the engine model and type, not the equipment brand. A repair shop or online parts supplier cannot look up a carburetor for "a Troy-Bilt mower." They can look it up for a "Briggs & Stratton 675EXi series, model 09P702, type 0005F1."

Briggs & Stratton

Briggs & Stratton engines have three numbers to record: Model, Type, and Code.

Where to find it: On a metal tag or stamped directly into the metal on the side of the engine — typically near the oil fill cap, on the blower housing (the plastic shroud over the cylinder), or on the valve cover. On horizontal-shaft engines (generators, pressure washers), look on the side of the block.

What it looks like:

• Model: 09P702 (or similar 5–6 digit number)
• Type: 0005F1 (suffix indicating specific configuration)
• Code: 200123ZA (manufacturing date code)

All three numbers together identify the exact engine specification. Write all three down when calling a shop or ordering parts.

Honda (GC, GCV, GX series)

Honda small engine model numbers are printed on a sticker or embossed on a plate attached to the engine block itself, not the equipment it powers.

Where to find it: On the side of the engine crankcase — below the air filter on most GCV models. Also on the engine frame near the oil drain plug. On horizontal-shaft engines (pressure washers, generators), check the side of the block near the oil fill.

What it looks like:

• Engine type: GCV160 or GCV190 (the engine family)
• Frame number: GJAE-1234567 (for warranty and parts confirmation)

The engine type (GCV160, GCV190, GX200, GX390) is usually sufficient for parts lookup. The frame number is needed for warranty claims.

Important: The label on the mower or pressure washer deck is NOT the Honda engine label. Honda engines have their own label. If you see "GCV160" printed on the fan housing (the plastic shroud), that is the engine type. Look on the metal block for the serial/frame number.

Kawasaki

Kawasaki engines are commonly found on commercial and residential riding mowers (Husqvarna, Toro, John Deere, Ferris).

Where to find it: On a sticker on the side of the engine block, usually near the oil fill. On V-twin models (common on zero-turn mowers), look on the metal plate between the two cylinders or on the lower portion of the block.

What it looks like:

• Engine model: FH580V, FX691V, FR691V (letter series + displacement in cc)
• Specification number: AS08-R (configuration suffix)
• Serial number: FH580V-AS08 / XXXXXXXX

The engine model and specification number are what parts suppliers need. The serial number is needed for warranty claims.

Kohler

Kohler engines are common on riding mowers, zero-turns, and commercial equipment (Cub Cadet, Husqvarna, Exmark, Gravely).

Where to find it: On a decal on the blower housing or engine shroud — the metal cover over the top or side of the cylinder. On Command (CV) and Courage (SV) series engines, the label is usually on the front or side of the engine shroud.

What it looks like:

• Model: CV740 or SV590 (engine series + displacement)
• Specification: 0001 (configuration number, 4 digits)
• Serial: 3623001234 (manufacturing date + sequential number)

Kohler model + spec is sufficient for most parts orders. All three are needed for warranty.

Tecumseh

Tecumseh engines were common on older snowblowers, walk-behind mowers, and tillers until the brand ceased production in 2008. Many are still in service.

Where to find it: On a metal tag or stamped into the metal on the upper engine shroud — typically on the top of the engine near the starter. On vertical-shaft engines, look on the side of the blower housing.

What it looks like:

• Model: HSSK50
• Specification: 67387G
• Serial/date of manufacture: (date code stamped separately)

Because Tecumseh is no longer in production, parts are sourced from aftermarket suppliers. The model and spec number are essential for finding compatible parts.

Generac (engine only, for portable generators)

Generac portable generators use Generac-made engines or OHV engines from other suppliers. The generator's model number is different from the engine model number.

Where to find it: On a sticker on the generator control panel or frame. For Generac-made engines, look on the side of the engine block. For generators using other-brand engines (some Generac models use Briggs engines), the engine tag is on the engine block separately.

What it looks like:

• Generator model: GP3500, GP7500E (the generator product number)
• Engine model: (separate number on the engine itself if using a third-party engine)

For a Generac service dealer, the generator model number is usually sufficient. For engine parts specifically, the engine model is needed.

What to do with the model number

Once you have the engine model, type/spec, and serial number:

1. Call or text the repair shop before dropping off equipment. Giving them the model number lets them look up common parts and potentially have them in stock when your equipment arrives.
2. Use it for parts orders. Online parts suppliers (Partstree, Jack's Small Engines, RepairClinic) all search by model and type number.
3. Look up the service manual. Most engine manufacturers publish free service manuals searchable by model number on their websites.
4. Confirm warranty status. The serial number includes a manufacturing date code. For Briggs, the Code field starts with the year (e.g., Code 200123ZA = manufactured January 23, 2020).

When you cannot find the label

Labels fade, get covered in oil, or get scraped off. If you cannot read the engine label:

• Check the equipment's original owner's manual — the engine model is usually listed in the specifications section.
• Look up the equipment model number (from the mower deck or equipment frame) on the equipment manufacturer's website — most list the compatible engine in their product specs.
• Bring the equipment to a shop and let a technician identify the engine visually. Experienced technicians can usually identify engine families on sight.