Some engine listings are filed under short codes instead of manufacturer names, and EC is one of them. It is not a separate company or brand; it is a catalogue heading used to group service material for engines identified by EC-style model codes, of the kind often printed on engine specification labels.

Because EC manuals are grouped by code, the first step is to read the engine identification plate on your machine or vehicle and note the full model number. That code tells you which manual matches your unit, and it is also the number used for parts ordering and service information. Keep a note of your engine's full code before buying a manual, as similar prefixes are used by several builders.

The workshop manuals found under EC cover the usual engine service subjects: cylinder and valve work, carburetion or fuel injection, ignition and starting systems, cooling and lubrication, torque specifications, adjustment data and scheduled maintenance. Because the heading is generic, the emphasis falls on procedures and specifications that apply across engines of the same type, such as valve adjustment or ignition timing checks.

DIY owners and small repair shops who work on engines identified by code rather than by brand will find these manuals useful once the matching model number has been confirmed from the engine plate or stamped code. If you cannot find your exact engine under EC, check the manufacturer listing or search by the vehicle and machine name as well, since codes vary between catalogues.