This work presents an analytical study of a suggested mechanism as part of a design process of a Crank-Rocker (CR) engine. The basic geometry of this engine is based on the principal of a four-bar crank rocker mechanism, which requires optimization for effective operation. Kinematic study of this mechanism is achieved using two analysis approaches, analytical and graphical model simulation approach. To achieve the objective, two softwares, namely MATLAB and ADAMS, were used to conduct this analysis and to validate mechanism functionality. Under certain constraints and operational conditions, the simulation results by both applications were compared and found to be almost identical, this gives an indication about mechanism operational behaviour. Moreover, this study provides clear idea about using different approaches and applications for system kinematic study purposes. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.