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The small engine industry is currently faced with the challenge of meeting the pending 1994 and 1999 California emissions requirements. Possible alternatives include engine design modifications, more sophisticated carburetion, fuel injection, catalysts, and alternative fuels including propane. The object of this study was to quantify the emissions improvements that can be obtained by using propane instead of gasoline and to compare that to the California requirements. A secondary goal was to develop a carburetor that would minimize emissions from a propane-fuelled engine. Current applications of propane-fuelled small engines include forklifts, generators and power floor buffers. Typically, these are indoor applications that use propane because it is considered a clean burning fuel. The test engine in this study is a single cylinder, 400cc, overhead-valve, air-cooled, four stroke utility engine.