Craftsman 917272242 lawn tractor Parts

Replacing the engine on a Craftsman riding lawn tractor like model 917272242 typically costs $260 to $1,800 installed, depending on the engine price, any extra parts needed (belts, pulleys, wiring), and labor time (often around 6 hours for a riding mower).

What drives the total cost

• Engine price: the biggest variable; OEM-style replacements cost more than basic equivalents.
• Labor time: engine swaps on riding tractors take longer because of the drive system, wiring, and controls.
• Related wear parts: a worn belt, idler, or PTO switch can add cost if they are replaced at the same time.
• Shop rates and pickup/delivery: local labor rates and transport fees can change the total quickly.
• Condition of fasteners and mounts: rusted hardware can add time.

Parts that are commonly replaced during an engine swap

If your tractor has drive or engagement issues along with engine problems, these parts are often inspected and sometimes replaced during the job:

• Lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294
• Pto switch 582107601
• Lawn tractor engine pulley 532175417
• Battery cables, fuel line, and mounting hardware (as needed)

Quick cost snapshot

Cost item	Typical range	Notes
Engine (part only)	$200 to $1,400	Varies by horsepower, shaft size, and brand compatibility
Labor	$200 to $700	Often based on ~4 to 8 hours total time
Extra parts/fluids	$20 to $300	Belts, pulleys, oil, filter, hardware

Why it matters

An engine replacement is one of the highest-cost repairs on a riding mower. Checking the drive belt, PTO engagement, and safety interlock operation during the same service helps prevent a “new engine, same problem” situation. For operating and maintenance guidance that can extend engine life, use the owner's manual.

You can order replacement parts for your Craftsman 917272242 from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

For the Craftsman lawn tractor model 917272242, we use a high-quality detergent 4-cycle engine oil that meets API service classification SF through SJ, and we choose the SAE viscosity based on the outdoor temperature (the tractor ships with summer-weight oil). For the exact viscosity chart for your climate, use the owner's manual.

Recommended oil type and viscosity

Use oil that matches these requirements:

• 4-cycle (4-stroke) engine oil (not 2-cycle oil)
• Detergent oil with API SF-SJ rating
• SAE viscosity selected for your expected operating temperature
• Keep oil at the FULL mark on the dipstick; do not overfill

Quick viscosity guidance (typical)

Most riding mower engines run well on these common choices:

Typical outdoor temperature	Common SAE choice	Notes
Cold weather starts	5W-30	Easier starting in cold conditions
Moderate to warm weather	SAE 30	Common “summer weight” option
Wide temperature swings	10W-30	Good all-around option

(Your model’s official viscosity chart is in the owner's manual.)

How to check and change oil on model 917272242

Check oil level

• Park on level ground
• Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick, wipe it clean
• Reinsert dipstick (rest cap on tube, do not thread), then read level
• Add oil to reach FULL; avoid overfilling

Change interval

• Change engine oil every 50 hours of operation, or at least once a year
• Check oil before starting and after each 8 hours of operation

Why it matters

Correct oil type and viscosity protect the engine from heat and wear, improve cold starting, and help your Craftsman tractor maintain consistent power under load.

If you need maintenance supplies or replacement parts for your tractor, start with the parts list for model 917272242 on this page, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

On the Craftsman lawn tractor model 917272242, the engine assembly includes the core internal engine components (crankshaft, pistons, valves, gaskets) plus the external systems that make it run on the tractor, such as the throttle/choke controls, exhaust (muffler and pipes), and fuel tank/cap. For the exact breakdown used on this model, use the 917272242 owner's manual.

Main engine parts (internal)

These are the components most people mean when they say “engine parts”:

• Cylinder block and cylinder head
• Pistons and piston rings
• Connecting rods and bearings
• Crankshaft
• Valves, valve guides, and valve train components
• Gaskets and seals (for example, exhaust gaskets)

Engine-related parts on this tractor (external systems)

Your 917272242 also uses engine-related parts that are mounted on or connected to the engine:

• Throttle control and choke control (operator controls)
• Exhaust system parts (muffler, left and right exhaust pipes, heat shield)
• Fuel system parts (fuel tank, fuel cap, fuel line)
• Spark arrestor kit (optional equipment on some setups)

Quick reference: internal vs. external

Category	What it includes	What you’ll notice when it fails
Internal engine parts	Crankshaft, pistons, valves, gaskets	Knocking, low compression, smoke, hard starting
External engine systems	Fuel tank/line, muffler/exhaust, throttle/choke controls	Fuel leaks, loud exhaust, poor throttle response, stalling

Why it matters

Knowing whether you are dealing with an internal engine issue or an external system issue helps you troubleshoot faster. Many “engine problems” on riding mowers are actually fuel delivery, exhaust restriction, or control linkage issues, not a failed crankshaft or piston.

Parts you can order and where

For replacement parts for Craftsman 917272242, start with the parts list for your model; common tractor-related items on this page include the pto switch 582107601 and the lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294. For broader model-based searching, use Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

For Craftsman lawn tractor model 917272242, the owner’s manual identifies it as a 20.0 HP electric-start riding lawn tractor with a 48-inch mower; the manual does not name a specific engine manufacturer in the excerpt provided. For the exact engine make and model, use the engine ID label on the engine and cross-check it in the 917272242 owner's manual.

How to identify the exact engine on your 917272242

Use these quick checks to get the correct engine information for parts, tune-ups, and troubleshooting:

• Look for the engine model/type/code sticker (commonly on the blower housing, valve cover, or near the starter)
• Write down the full engine ID exactly as shown (letters and numbers)
• Match that engine ID to the correct spark plug, air filter, fuel filter, and oil filter
• Confirm your tractor model number is 917272242 (from the tractor frame tag)
• Use the manual’s “Repair Parts” section to confirm tractor-side parts like belts and pulleys

Common engine families you may see (what to expect)

Many Craftsman front-engine lawn tractors of this era were built with single-cylinder or V-twin engines from major small-engine brands. The only model-specific fact we can state from the manual excerpt is the 20.0 HP rating and electric start.

What you need	Where to find it	Why it matters
Engine model/type/code	Engine label on the engine	Ensures correct tune-up parts
Tractor model number 917272242	Tractor frame tag	Ensures correct belts, deck parts, and chassis parts
Deck size (48-inch)	Manual/spec section	Helps match blades, idlers, and deck hardware

Why it matters

The engine brand and exact engine model determine the correct maintenance parts and settings (spark plug type/gap, air filter style, oil capacity, and carburetor kit). The tractor model number determines chassis and deck parts such as the ground drive belt and PTO controls.

Parts on this model that are often involved in “engine-related” complaints

If the engine runs but the tractor will not move or the deck will not engage, these tractor-side parts are common suspects:

• Pto switch 582107601 (deck engagement electrical control)
• Lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294 (drive system)
• Lawn tractor engine pulley 532175417 (belt drive interface)

To shop the full parts list for model 917272242, you can also search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

For the Craftsman riding mower covered by this parts list, the model number is 917272242. You can confirm it in the 917272242 owner's manual, where the cover page lists “Model No. 917.272242”.

How to confirm the model number on your mower

Check these common ID locations on Craftsman riding mowers and lawn tractors:

• Under the seat on the frame or seat pan
• On the rear fender area near the seat
• On the frame rail near the engine compartment
• On a sticker or metal tag near the transmission area
• In the manual cover and the repair parts sections

42-inch deck vs model number: what to know

“42-inch” describes the cutting width, not a single universal Craftsman model. Multiple Craftsman tractors use a 42-inch deck, so the model tag is the deciding factor.

What you have	What it tells you	What to do next
42-inch deck	Narrows the search	Match the model tag to the parts diagrams
Model tag shows 917272242	Exact identification	Use the 917272242 parts list and diagrams
Model tag shows a different number	Different tractor build	Look up parts by that exact model number

Why it matters

Using the exact model number prevents wrong-part returns. Even when two tractors both use a 42-inch deck, items like belts, blades, pulleys, and chassis hardware can differ by production run.

Ordering parts for model 917272242

When your ID tag matches 917272242, order from the parts list for this model. Common examples from this model’s catalog include the pto switch 582107601 and the lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294. For other models, search by the full model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026