Hi, I work at Sears selling snowthrowers and simply cannot find out anywhere on the planet who makes the new Craftsman Exclusive Engine on the 2008 snowthrowers. I'm speaking of the 179 and 250 cc engines on models 88704, 88705, 88755, and 88955. It is not Briggs, and it is not Tecumseh. I'm assuming it is now made in China, thus no one will tell me. Can someone please enlighten me? Please give details on how you know and where I can look it up. Thanks so much!

OK,looks like your right.

I called Sears on a 1-800 number,got transferred 3-4 times between dept. and dept. and finally(after 15 minutes of 'please hold' and beautiful elevator music... They said Sears makes it!

Exclusive Sears (by)product.Craftsman Brand.

This was for the 250 cc 88955 they said a SEARS id number has the 247 in front of the model(in the books)

Sorry,I tried my best... :p

Exactly my point... thanks for your trouble though, I appreciate it :)

No trouble,it was a cool challenge.Glad to help

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
MTD_Products

2008 - Began having a third-party company (located in China) manufacture a new line of engines for the Craftsman 2008 line of Snowthrowers. They are no longer building them with Tecumseh engines. These Chinese engines are also found in Troy-Built snowblowers, Yard Man and any MTD brand.

Hi,
To see more about these machines, please see:
MTD Canada - Our Products - Snow Blowers (http://www.mtdcanada.com/products-snowblowers.asp)
Which use the PowerMore engines that are indeed Chinese. A search of that engine name here will yield the post that says it is a Zongshen, I think. See:
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/tools-power-equipment/parts-powermore-small-engines-393952.html
Peace,
Clarke