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I just purchased a 1989 Snapper Hi-vac mower. I need to make some repairs because it doesn't run as well as the person who sold it to me claimed. The engine model placard is gone and I haven't been able to find it searching the web. I will include a couple of pics and if someone has the same mower I'd appreciate it to know the engine model number. I know it's a Briggs 3.5 hp.

Thank you!!!

There's a decal on top of the deck behind the engine. There u will find the model and serial number. The model # will give u the info on what u will need. If it's a 1989 3.5hp the s/n will start with a 9 and the model # should be 21355 or 21355P or maybe 21355PD.

The engine shroud looks older than a '89. Looks to be 1983-1987. Whatever digit the s/n starts with is the model year of the mower. If it starts with 6 it's a 1986 model.

Snapperfreak said:

The engine shroud looks older than a '89. Looks to be 1983-1987. Whatever digit the s/n starts with is the model year of the mower. If it starts with 6 it's a 1986 model.

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Thanks for the reply! I had a really hard time trying to figure out the year because I didn't know the S/N number trick. I just searched each year and thought I had a 1989 because there were some youtube videos with one that looked similar. It probably doesn't help that I have it dismantled.

The model number is 21355PD and the serial number is 84211166 so its a 1988? I tried searching the snapper website for the manual using the model number and it didn't get anything so I that's why I thought I might need the engine number. Do you know a site that will let me pull up a parts guide using the model number?

I found a couple sites that have the same parts guide searching 21355PD. Snapper 21355PD Parts List and Diagram : eReplacementParts.com The part I was looking at getting was a new coil and an air filter but I don't see them. Are these just generic and will be the same no matter which model you have?

This actually looks exactly like my mower. https://www.facebook.com/Snapper/ph...19/10152573377295120/?type=1&relevant_count=1

Whitlock clearly stated that he is looking for the "ENGINE" numbers, which are stamped on the ENGINE. They are stamped into the recoil starter housing, the part in the pic by itself. They are not on a decal and don't stand out like a clown at a funeral. Usually, they are above the spark plug, but I have seen them above the muffler or on the up-facing area near the HP/Safety decal.

Jacks small engines is a good site to look for parts. If that's the exact mower u have that is pictured then yes it's a 1988 with a briggs 3.5 max engine. No problem finding parts for that. If you're unable to find the stuff u need on the site of just give them a call and tell them what u have.

And mow I assumed since it was stated that the engine model decal was missing that there was no stamped numbers on the shroud. Therefore the next place to start would be the model #.

Thank you for your help gentlemen. I was able to find the model number I was just looking in the wrong place. I got my part today and I'm just working on putting this thing back together!

Cool deal, looking forward to some pics when you're finished!

Thanks Snapperfreak, I got it all back together so I'll include a pic of it here. I've seen your pics of a snapper that you completely restored and repainted and mine isn't nearly that cool. I did spend a lot of time cleaning the engine today, but all I had was some engine cleaner, screwdriver, and towels to get in the grooves. I wish I lived close to my Dad because he has a parts washer and a sandblaster at his transmission shop.

I wanted to ask if you could take a look at the throttle assembly above the carb to see if I hooked it up correctly? It wouldn't fire up when it was back together and I'm thinking that the second butterfly valve on the carb isn't opening on the engine side because it's hooked up wrong. I was too excited to work on it and regret not taking pictures as I went. I took two pics of the throttle assembly, one is on full choke, and the other is on stop.

I'll mention that I replaced the ignition coil today and I am quite a novice at this kind of thing. I feel very accomplished getting it all back together without any bolts left over. I feel good about how I installed the new coil, but I wouldn't write it off as the problem.

Thank you, but I must say after tearing down a couple of mowers and going thru all the work of that and sanding and priming and painting and reassembling, I prefer them in their original finish. They have more character with their untouched patina. A good cleaning is all I do now and your mower is in pretty nice shape just how it is. You're cleaning paid off well. I doubt I'll ever disassemble and repaint another snapper, but I have lots of simple green, cleaning towels and brushes.

Ok, as for your throttle, it does appear correct from what I can see. I'm not much of a mechanic unfortunately, but try unbolting the throttle cable from the side of the engine, while it's on choke, and see if u can move the cable any farther foreword. If so, keep it there and bolt it back up. That should insure that the choke is engaged when it should be. As for the coil, I'm sorry but I don't have any experience with that. I can say that's a very nice snapper and I know it's in good hands.

I just found a really good video that explains the linkage. I couldn't figure out what puts tension on the second butterfly valve and I learned that it is the air coming off the flywheel. I'm going to go and check out the ignition coil again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xp513KHQQo

WOW that's a good video. Like I said, I'm not much of a mechanic (at all) but videos like that make things that are simple to most mower guys understandable to guys like me. Very cool, thanks for posting that.

My entire day has been looking at videos and diagrams and working on my mower! I remember mowing the lawn growing up with my Dad's snapper, I'm guessing an 86' (the year I was born). I'm just really excited to finally own one and to be able to work on it. It's pretty nostalgic, even the smell of the engine the first time I fired it up brought back memories, and that probably sounds crazy!

Not crazy, I think most of us here, including me, know exactly what you're talking about. That old exhaust smell and the smell of different types of cut grass take me back to a kid.

I finally got this thing running correctly! The guy who sold it to me said it "runs great" and just needed a new spark plug. It turns out it would not start when the engine was hot. So with the price I payed to fix it, as well as the purchase price, it was still cheaper than a cheap-o mower from home depot, but a much higher quality. With the new coil on correctly, it starts on the first pull every time, hot or cold.

I learned it wouldn't start because the wire was grounded and has to be connected to the kill switch, but I didn't know where it was. Turns out it's on the underside of the carb linkage. When the throttle goes all the way down, there is a little piece of metal that touches the kill switch to stop it.

I couldn't be happier with my new-25 year old snapper. I'll be happy to help contribute with fix it questions when I can!

Good job sir. Glad it all came together for u.