This maybe too late for you, but it may help others who do not want to pay $700.00 for a new engine from John Deere. I just installed an FJ180V-CS11-R on a 14SB frame, which I believe to be the same frame as the early JX75 that you have. In any event, the original engine on the 14SB was an FC150V-FS00. The new new engine fit with out any modifications, and the blade guide, pulley and BBC fit perfectly. The only thing I had to do was tap the mounting holes and shorten one mounting bolt to 1-inch. One note - the throttle control works backwards, in that the choke is at the off setting (throttle back) and off is at the choke setting (throttle forward). If anyone has the trick to change this let me know. Check out the Small Engine Warehouse online or E-bay for the engine (about $200.00 + shipping).

Whats wrong with using a tried and true Briggs, or a Tecumseh? I've seen and owned lots of them with either of those engines on them. I've sold them with American made engines. The only time i had one come in for repairs, was one that the owner forgot to check the oil! And of course, even a mighty Honda won't run long with no oil in the crank-case!

Bill . . . Right after you sent the posting, I went to the KAWA site and pulled up the parts diagrams for the 2 models. At first glance, they had the same "reference" number on the diagram for both. But when I scrolled down to the actual item numbers, they had added a 4 digit number on the reference number for the complete part. These item numbers were different for the 2 engine model numbers. However, if you compared engine models of the same generation like a 420 and a 541 (15Hp) then there was some commonality between those item part numbers. So when Kawa introduced a new engine line, they redesigned and upgraded the discrete components. I think the electrical components on the 2 engines are completely different. By the way, that Kawa website is the best I've seen. They know how to do it.

Thanks for all the feedback. I did contact the Tulsa Engine folks for advice and Matt said the 331877 could be a direct replacement for my current (dead) 311777. I looked at the IPL's for both engines (311700 vs. 331800) and some PN's are the same, others are different. The main parts (sump, head, crank, flywheel, rod, piston, cam, valves) are all different which makes me nervous. Others (starter, magneto, fuel pump, alternator, regulator, wiring harness) are the same so maybe it is okay. Regardless, I think I'll still call Tulsa and talk via phone vs. just email so I can get more feedback. Again, at the end of the day, if the crankshaft size is the same and the bolt pattern is the same, I want to take advantage of the bigger HP unit if possible. I want to make sure too that I get the right engine. Any more advice to share is appreciated. Again, thanks for taking your time to help me out.