The Kawasaki FC420V is a 423 cc (25.81 cu-in) single-cylinder air-cooled 4-stroke internal combustion small gasoline engine with vertical shaft manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries LTd., for general-purpose applications.
The FC420V engine has an OHV (overhead valve) design; cast-iron cylinder liner; reciprocating balancer; float type carburetor with fixed main jet; flywheel magneto transistor type ignition system; mechanical governor; low tone muffler; recoil starter with an automatic compression release.
The engine uses semi cyclone type air cleaner with dual element; pressurized lubrication system and pulse type fuel pump. The Kawasaki FC420V could be equipped with electric starter and 12V (3A, 5A, 9A or 13A) charging coil.
A 89.0 mm (3.5 in) cylinder bore and 68.0 mm (2.68 in) piston stroke give the motor a total of 423 cc of displacement. Compression ratio rating is 8.4:1. The Kawasaki FC420V motor produced 14.1 PS (10.4 KW; 14.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm of horsepower and 30.6 Nm (3.12 kg·m; 22.58 ft·lb) at 2,400 rpm of torque.
General information
| Engine Specifications | |
| Model | FC420V |
| Type | 4-stroke, OHV, single cylinder |
| Displacement | 423 cm 3 (25.81 cu-in) |
| Max. horsepower | 14.1 PS (10.4 KW; 14.0 HP) at 3,600 rpm |
| Max. torque | 30.6 Nm (3.12 kg·m; 22.58 ft·lb) at 2,400 rpm |
| Carburetor | Float type with fixed main jet |
| Cooling system | Forced-air |
| Ignition system | Flywheel magneto transistor type |
| Lubricating system | Full pressurized |
| Starting system | Recoil or electric starter |
| Fuel used | Unleaded gasoline (octane number 86 or higher) |
| Fuel tank capacity | – |
| Fuel consumption | 255 g/HPh |
| PTO shaft rotation | Counterclockwise (from PTO shaft side) |
Dimensions and Weight
| Kawasaki FC420V | |
| Length | 448 mm (17.6 in) |
| Width | 423 mm (16.7 in) |
| Height | 436 mm (17.2 in) |
| Dry weight | 35.2 kg (77.6 lbs) |
Cylinder Block and Head
| Cylinder block | |
| Compression ratio: | 8.4:1 |
| Cylinder bore: | 89.0 mm (3.5 in) |
| Piston stroke: | 68.0 mm (2.68 in) |
| Cylinder internal diameter (standard): | 89.076 mm (3.5069 in) |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2/1 |
| Connecting rod big end diameter (standard): | 41.068 mm (1.6168 in) |
| Connecting rod small end diameter (standard): | 22.059 mm (0.8685 in) |
| Piston pin diameter: | 21.977 mm (0.8652 in) |
| Side clearance (Top): | 0.170 mm (0.0067 in) |
| Side clearance (Second): | 0.150 mm (0.0059 in) |
| Side clearance (Oil): | 0.200 mm (0.0079 in) |
| Ring end gap (Top): | 0.900 mm (0.0354 in) |
| Ring end gap (Second): | 0.900 mm (0.0354 in) |
| Ring width (Top): | 1.940 mm (0.0764 in) |
| Ring width (Second): | 1.940 mm (0.0764 in) |
| Crankshaft main journal diameter: |
PTO side: 34.919 mm (1.3748 in) Magneto side: 34.945 mm (1.3758 in) |
| Crankpin journal diameter: | 40.928 mm (1.6113 in) |
| Crankshaft center distance: | 34 mm (1.34 in) |
| Cylinder head | |
| Valve arrangement: | OHV |
| Valves: | 2 |
| Valve steam diameter (INTAKE): | 6.930 mm (0.2728 in) |
| Valve steam diameter (EXHAUST): | 6.915 mm (0.2722 in) |
| Valve spring free length (INTAKE): | 37.5 mm (1.4764 in) |
| Valve spring free length (EXHAUST): | 37.5 mm (1.4764 in) |
| Camshaft lobe height (INTAKE): | 36.750 mm (1.4468 in) |
| Camshaft lobe height (EXHAUST): | 36.750 mm (1.4468 in) |
| Camshaft journal diameter: |
Gear side: 20.912 mm (0.8233 in) Cam side: 19.912 mm (0.7839 in) |
Service Information
| Engine | |
| Maximum speed | 3,500 ± 100 rpm |
| Idle speed | 1,500 ± 150 rpm |
| Cylinder compression | 5.0 kg/cm2 (70 psi) |
| Valve clearance | |
| Intake valve | 0.15 mm (0.006 in) |
| Exhaust valve | 0.15 mm (0.006 in) |
| Oil system | |
| Oil type | 4-stroke or an equivalent (SF, SE, SD) |
| Recommended oil | SAE 10W-30, 10W-40 |
| Oil capacity | 1.3 L (1.4 US. qt) |
| Ignition system | |
| Spark plug | NGK: BPR5ES; |
| Spark plug gap | 0.7-0.8 mm (0.028-0.031 in) |
| Ignition coil air gap | 0.3 mm (0.012 in) |
Tightening torque specs
| Tightening torque specs | Cylinder head | 52 Nm; 5.2 kg·m; 38.3 ft·lb |
| Connecting rod | 20 Nm; 2.0 kg·m; 14.7 ft·lb |
| Flywheel | 137 Nm; 14 kg·m; 101 ft·lb |
| Crankcase cover | 26 Nm; 2.6 kg·m; 19.2 ft·lb |
| Oil drain plug | 23 Nm; 2.3 kg·m; 16.7 ft·lb |
| Valve clearance lock nut | 20 Nm; 2.0 kg·m; 14.7 ft·lb |
I have one of these 14 hp electric start Kawasaki engines that I bought 20 years ago that came with a DR field and brush mower. The DR mower wore out, but not this Kawasaki. I saved this excellent engine and mounted it on an old Bunton mower. Still running fantastic, no maintenance needed beyond oil and filter changes. I’m a Kawasaki fan.
Any chance you have the manual for it you could email me?
Great info, all I needed to reassemble the fc420 engine.
Ottimo motore, praticamente un mulo.
I need the manual for it ?
Manual is available as a PDF. Search Kawasaki FC420V manual or shop manual. It is available from several places
Does anyone know the maximum slope angle this engine (FC420V) can handle?