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.
Porter Cable Surburban Restoration Begins Today
bread320i
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Hopefully we can find the sheet metal!
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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.
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.
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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-
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-
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For the throttle, I'm not sure about yours, but all of the later ones, the lever was on the sheet metal that is part of the hood.
Maybe the fellow from the beginning of this thread can help you out with the sheet metal dimensions.
If you can replicate the hood, I know most here would be impressed.
The motor should have model, type, code numbers etched into the shroud - on the top of the motor near the spark plug. Being an older briggs, you will have to look up the code number to find the year of manufacture. Could help date the garden tractor.
Here's my favourite site for info on taking apart a medium flo-jet carburetor: http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/briggs_medium_two_piece.asp.
The rear end uses 80/90 weight oil. There should be a fill plug that sticks out at the middle-back. Not sure about yours, there may be a small screw on the back - just over half-way up and on the right of centre. Fill with oil until it comes out the hole.
It's been sitting for 25 years - take your time.
It might not have spark. I would expect that after 25 years. The points should need a good "cleaning". I put that in quotes - because to clean the ones on my first 6hp, I put a piece of emery cloth on a piece of steel and gave each side of the points a good rubbing. Hardest part is that the points are under the flywheel, which is under the shroud.
Maybe the fellow from the beginning of this thread can help you out with the sheet metal dimensions.
If you can replicate the hood, I know most here would be impressed.
The motor should have model, type, code numbers etched into the shroud - on the top of the motor near the spark plug. Being an older briggs, you will have to look up the code number to find the year of manufacture. Could help date the garden tractor.
Here's my favourite site for info on taking apart a medium flo-jet carburetor: http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/repairs/briggs_medium_two_piece.asp.
The rear end uses 80/90 weight oil. There should be a fill plug that sticks out at the middle-back. Not sure about yours, there may be a small screw on the back - just over half-way up and on the right of centre. Fill with oil until it comes out the hole.
It's been sitting for 25 years - take your time.
It might not have spark. I would expect that after 25 years. The points should need a good "cleaning". I put that in quotes - because to clean the ones on my first 6hp, I put a piece of emery cloth on a piece of steel and gave each side of the points a good rubbing. Hardest part is that the points are under the flywheel, which is under the shroud.
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jabelman,
To find the date, you need the 3rd set of digits (model, type and code).
Here's my favourite site for the date cross-reference: http://www.rucenterprises.com/asecc-main/data/briggs/data4.html
To find the date, you need the 3rd set of digits (model, type and code).
Here's my favourite site for the date cross-reference: http://www.rucenterprises.com/asecc-main/data/briggs/data4.html
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I have them drawn in autocadd but i havent printed them out yet. All is going to be black. I attached a photo of the red ones hood sticker for ref. I found an old 50's sale brochure that i am going to follow that design which was slightly different. Also i saw one for sale in original paint (interesting that is the next serial# up from the red one) it had the same hood decal but the side hood script was all red and no decals on the floor sides (mark 1 in a box). There is shift pattern decal too.
Also watch your motor mounts brackets. The one i got from you was welded and my red one was welded in the same spot. The engine really bounces around i put bigger bushings in the first one which helped. Let me know i will have the guy print another set if you want when i get them.
Also watch your motor mounts brackets. The one i got from you was welded and my red one was welded in the same spot. The engine really bounces around i put bigger bushings in the first one which helped. Let me know i will have the guy print another set if you want when i get them.
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Looking forward to seeing the decals on your restoration.
I'd like to know more about the issues with the motor mount brackets. I have a couple 6hp moto-mowers that are roughly the same and would like to know if there's something I should be looking out for.
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Jableman, you didn't have the decal printed on a chrome back round?
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No i was going to do it separate. You can get adhesive foil that works thats pretty decent. I tried looking for the original style ribbed foil but no luck i am sure its available somewhere?. Did you keep the throttle on the hood? That area had the same chrome on it too. I filled that in and painted it white and moved it on to the side panel. What shade of green did you use? I went with emerald. Still deciding how to do the other one. Might go with the moto mower metallic blue instead of green just keep them different.
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