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Porter Cable Surburban Restoration Begins Today

5.3K views 39 replies 15 participants last post by  bread320i  
#1 ·
Purchased this Porter Cable Surburban off ebay a month or so ago. Today I decided it was time to begin the restoration. I started by taking pictures before I touched anything. I then started disassembly for snadblasting. I hope to drop it off at the local sandblaster before the week ends. Then painting begins.
 

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#5 ·
This will be cool to see restored!

Hows the car comeing along I see it in the back ground?
 
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#7 ·
wow a porter cable garden tractor.. i only seen 2 that i can remember i will be waiting for progress
 
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#11 ·
#12 ·
Hard to tell in the pictures, but in your first group of pics, in the 4th pic, the one straight

at the front. It looks like the front axle has a twist similiar (tractor's right) to what I had to deal with.

Could just be shadows, or?, as it doesn't show so much in other pics. Anyway, if it is twisted,

the method I used on the MF7E axle worked real well.
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
Yes that is the same tractor. Different hood of corse. I have read somewhere that The Massey Exectivates(spell?) are the same.

I believe I have seen many post by Motobeeder about these. There is also a Yahoo group with some info as well.

And yes the front axle does have a slight bend to it but the picture dosnt show it.

Member Motobreeder is very knowledgable on the Porter/Moto/Dura Corp history. I'm sure he'll be

along soon.

Does the one in the link below look familiar? Except for the tin.

It was built by Dura Corp, for MF in 1963.

http://gardentractortalk.com/forums/topic/8832-mf-7-executive-resto/?hl=%20mf7e
 
#17 ·
Wow, you're fast!!!

neat little tractor. Seeing your other restores, this should be a nice tractor when you're done.
 
#19 ·
I do not know the exact year, but early 60's as Motomow bought Porter Cable outdoor products in the mid 60's.
I believe the purchase was in 1959 (or 1960?). Moto-mower continued to use the same hood style for a few more years.

Saw your post - trying to sell the tractor. Since you don't have the original 6hp briggs motor, an exact date will be hard to guess. In your ad, the Porter Cable sticker is on the hood. I'm guessing 1957 to 1959 (give or take a few years).

As for your later comment - things coming apart easily and nothing broken. Although that's darn good for a >50 year old tractor, I've found that not unfamiliar territory for a Moto-mower.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I haven't restored my Moto-mowers - just rejuvenated them.

If you pull the steering wheel off. Just be careful removing the roll pin. The wheel is cast aluminum and spares don't exist.

Member Motobreeder is very knowledgable on the Porter/Moto/Dura Corp history. I'm sure he'll be

along soon.

Does the one in the link below look familiar? Except for the tin.

It was built by Dura Corp, for MF in 1963.

http://gardentractortalk.com/forums/topic/8832-mf-7-executive-resto/?hl=%20mf7e
That's a bit glowing - thanks. I have a few Moto-mowers and I'm really curious about them. I have spent a lot of hours searching for details. For all the information I've found, I keep learning something new. Hopefully I can share something that makes it more fun to own.

I'm stoked to see another moto-mower / porter cable being saved from the ravages of neglect.
 
#25 ·
Hi jableman,

Welcome to the forum.

Those GTs are really well built and very simple to work on.

Finding sheet metal could be a challenge. You will need to find a similar era donor.

How is the rest of the tractor - running, working correctly? You have a lot of good stuff to work with.

Feel free to ask questions. e.g.: if you haven't rebuilt a briggs carb before, it has to come apart in the correct order or it could be damaged.
 
#26 ·
Thanks for the carb tip! Did they have a throttle control other than the one one the engine?
This one sat for 25+ years. Motor still "turns".
The frame & trans & steering all seems pretty free. I am trying to locate some photos of the original paint scheme and logo (green/white)? Also if anyone has the sheet metal belt guard and steering cover i would like to contact about getting possible dimesions/template to try make them. Thanks-