Craftsman 917273638 tractor Parts

For a Craftsman riding tractor like model 917273638, a complete engine replacement typically costs $800 to $2,500 installed (engine plus labor). The total depends on the engine type, whether you replace related wear items, and local labor rates; confirm the correct engine and procedures in the owner's manual.

What drives the total cost

Most of the price is the engine itself, then labor and any “while you’re in there” parts.

• Engine price: commonly $500 to $1,800 depending on horsepower and crankshaft specs
• Labor time: commonly 4 to 8 hours for a riding mower engine swap
• Shop labor rate: often $90 to $160 per hour
• Extra parts: belts, wiring, hardware, and deck-drive components if worn
• Condition issues: rusted fasteners, damaged wiring, or fuel contamination can add time

Typical cost breakdown (installed)

Cost item	Typical range	Notes
Engine (new)	$500 to $1,800	Varies by spec and availability
Labor	$360 to $1,280	4 to 8 hours at typical shop rates
Misc. parts and supplies	$25 to $250	Fuel line, clamps, oil, filters, hardware
Estimated total	$800 to $2,500	Most common real-world range

Parts that are often replaced at the same time

Even though the engine is the main item, we often see these related items addressed during an engine job to prevent repeat downtime:

• Deck belt (if cracked or glazed), such as the Craftsman lawn tractor blade drive belt, 5/8 x 97-2/5-in 532174883
• PTO engagement components (if blades do not engage consistently), such as the switch.pto 582107601
• Starter circuit wear items (if you had intermittent no-crank), such as the solenoid with brass plunger 532146154
• Blades and mandrel components if vibration or poor cut was present

Why it matters

An engine replacement is one of the highest-cost repairs on a riding mower. If the deck, steering, and safety interlock systems are in good shape, replacing the engine can restore years of service. If multiple major systems are worn, comparing repair cost to replacement value helps you decide confidently.

Ordering parts

We list model-matched replacement parts for 917273638 on this page; for broader part searches by model number, use Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

On Craftsman lawn tractors like model 917273638, the model number does not contain the year; the build date is typically decoded from the serial number on the tractor’s ID tag. Use the serial number format shown on your tractor to identify the year, then confirm the correct decals and parts in the owner's manual.

Where to find the serial number (and what to write down)

Look for an ID tag under the seat, on the frame near the rear wheels, or in the engine compartment area. Record these exactly:

• Model number: 917273638
• Serial number: copy every digit (and any letters)
• Engine model and type (from the engine label)
• Deck size marking (this model uses a 42-inch mower deck)

How Craftsman serial number date codes are commonly read

Many Craftsman-built riding mowers use a date-coded serial number where the first digits represent a date (month, day, year). A common pattern you may see is:

• MM = month
• DD = day
• YY = year

Example (how the math works)

If your serial number begins with 072811, that reads as July 28, 2011.

Serial number starts with	Interprets as	Year
031520	March 15, 2020	2020
110905	November 9, 2005	2005
072811	July 28, 2011	2011

Quick checks to confirm you are decoding the right “year”

Use these cross-checks so you do not mistake a part number or decal number for a date:

• The ID tag should clearly label Model and Serial.
• The serial number is usually longer than the model number.
• Your parts diagrams for 917273638 list 42-inch deck blades such as the husqvarna lawn tractor mulching blade, 21-in 532134149 and the lawn tractor 42-in deck high-lift blade 532138971; matching deck parts helps confirm you are working from the correct tractor model.
• If your tractor has been re-decaled or repainted, rely on the ID tag, not the hood stickers.

Why it matters

The correct year helps you match the right wiring harness, safety switches, mower deck components, and decals. That prevents ordering the wrong blade, mandrel, or belt for your Craftsman tractor.

To shop by model and serial details, we list model-matched parts for 917273638 on this page, and you can also search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

“6.75” is an engine power marking used on many Craftsman mowers, so it is not a unique model number by itself. For the Craftsman front-engine lawn tractor covered here, the model number is 917.273638 (also written as 917273638); confirm it on the tractor’s ID label and in the 917273638 owner's manual.

How to identify the correct model number

On Craftsman riding mowers and lawn tractors, we use the tractor model number (not the engine HP label) to match the correct parts diagrams, belts, blades, and electrical parts.

Check these common ID-label locations:

• Under the seat on the fender pan or seat deck
• On the frame rail near the engine compartment
• Near the rear hitch plate or rear frame crossmember
• Inside the hood area on a frame sticker (varies by build)

“6.75” vs. the actual model number

“6.75” describes the engine class; the model number identifies the whole machine configuration (deck, drive system, wiring, and attachments).

What you’re reading	Example	What it’s used for
Mower/tractor model number	917.273638	Correct parts diagrams and tractor-specific parts
Engine model/type code	(varies by engine)	Engine-only parts like carburetor, starter, tune-up items
Deck size	42-in deck (common on this model)	Blade and belt selection

Parts that commonly depend on the model number

Once you confirm the tractor model number, you can match deck and chassis parts accurately. Examples available for model 917273638 include:

• Lawn tractor 42-in deck high-lift blade 532138971 for bagging or side discharge performance
• Husqvarna lawn tractor mulching blade, 21-in 532134149 for mulching setups listed for this model’s deck
• Craftsman lawn tractor blade drive belt, 5/8 x 97-2/5-in 532174883 when blades slip, squeal, or will not stay engaged

Why it matters

Ordering by “6.75” often leads to the wrong blade, belt, or PTO parts because multiple Craftsman products share similar engine ratings. The model number ties your exact tractor build to the correct diagrams and part numbers.

You can order replacement parts from the parts list for model 917273638, or search by model on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026

Craftsman riding mower model 917273638 is an 18.5 HP, 42-inch tractor with electric start and a 6-speed transaxle; the exact engine make and model is identified on the engine’s ID label and in the specifications section of the owner's manual.

How to identify the exact engine on model 917273638

Use the engine’s identification tag so you get the right tune-up and service parts.

• Lift the hood and locate the engine ID label on the blower housing, valve cover, or shroud
• Write down the full engine model / type / code (letters and numbers)
• Compare that ID to the engine specs listed in the owner's manual
• Use the engine ID when selecting spark plug, air filter, and fuel filter
• Keep your tractor model number 917273638 handy when using diagrams and parts lists

What “18.5 HP” tells you (and what it does not)

Horsepower and deck size describe the tractor’s capability, but they do not uniquely identify the engine manufacturer.

Spec on tractor	What it helps with	What you still need
18.5 HP rating	General performance class	Engine model/type/code for tune-up parts
42-inch deck	Blade and belt sizing	Deck configuration details (idler, mandrels)
Electric start	Starting system basics	Battery, solenoid, and wiring condition

Related parts that can affect “engine performance” while mowing

If the engine bogs down, surges, or seems weak under load, the cutting system is often the cause (belt drag, dull blades, or a failing mandrel).

• Craftsman lawn tractor blade drive belt, 5/8 x 97-2/5-in 532174883 (slipping or dragging belt changes blade load)
• Husqvarna lawn tractor mandrel assembly 532130794 (a noisy or seized mandrel overloads the engine)
• Lawn tractor 42-in deck high-lift blade 532138971 (dull or bent blades strain the engine and reduce cut quality)

Why it matters

Matching the engine ID to the correct service parts prevents hard starting, poor power, and repeat repairs. It also ensures you buy the right ignition and fuel system parts for the exact engine installed on your 917273638.

You can order replacement parts for your Craftsman 917273638 from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.

Last updated: February 2026