mrsmackpaul

The shroud is huge, as in very long The Detroit's are very odd shaped but trucks soon fitted the motors Paul

Someone with a spare parts book might be able to look up if there is a gasket Joey your normally good on the parts book department, was there ever gaskets for the axles ? Or have I only ever owned old rubbish that's been butchered by everyone before me ? I'm curious now, I always try to put everything right when I'm working on things, but I honestly don't ever recall seeing a gasket Paul

If we are talking the axle to the hub type of deal, I don't think they ever had a gasket They crush up pretty tight, I don't recall ever seeing a paper gasket, it would be only very thin paper if there was a gasket I have only ever seen silicone type of sealant I do prefer to use Loctite sealant, stays flexible and doesn't leak and also looks very stylish with it's purple colour Paul

Good to have some progress, everything seems to be taking me longer these days Paul

Bob I reckon the New Zealand R 800 will have a 350 or 320 coolpower with its dual aircleaners from new Paul

Enjoy the show, the truck will still be there tomorrow or the following days Paul

No the the DM's sold in Australia had the cabs offset to the left when new I think all were shift to the center like a normal truck The New Zealand DM's I feel were made central like a normal truck when new Have the LHD cabs are very dangerous in a RHD country Imagine trying to over take another vehicle, you have to pull fully into the oncoming traffic before you can see if it's safe to pass Paul

Those motor bike stand/lifts are so much handier and useful than just motor bikes Paul

Yep, thats what I was thinking you might of been talking about Known as a wedge or cleat in Australia, mainly known as a wedge Paul

And some more random photos I came across while Googling about trying to find answers R 800 DM 800's R 800 I'm fairly sure DM 800 Anyway, enough waffle from me Paul

More news to hand, I'm slowly spinning this thread off into the ditch without the help of Joey or Bob So there were 3 of this style of truck 375 V8's I believe Like all stories there is some confusion and miss reading, they are recorded in this bit of story as R 700's There were two Kenworth 849s, with 3408 V8 Caterpillar engines, as well as two Mack R797 RSX, ENDTB 866s. The Macks were rated at 280kW (375hp) and fitted with Flintstone/butterfly hoods. The pair was a cancelled Middle East order and so were named ‘Ayatollah‘ and ‘The Shah‘. I'm doubt the Middle East would of ordered new Macks from New Zealand or Australia, so I'm guessing these were U.S. made and when the order was cancelled they found a home in New Zealand and before delivery had the cabs mounted centraly and converted to right hand drive The first two were definitely DM 800's as my New Zealand Mack book has them recorded as such and I have read plenty if times that this is case, the third and final truck is a R 800 A huge amount of research went into these books and they were checked and rechecked and proof read by many sets of eyes before the limited run was done The first two are the DM 800 Middle East modified order This is the R 800, third truck Paul

I have no idea what keepers are, so I'll watch this space so I can translate to Australian ha ha ha I bet it feels good to be getting it back together Paul

I'm trying find out the specs I have had a look in my New Zealand Mack truck book for specs but no answers there I have also asked on a New Zealand Mack truck Facelessbook page and am awaiting the answers Two were DM 800's and one wasa R 800 More details to follow as they come to hand Paul

Well done to all involved in the restoration That's pretty special to have the truck, yourself and Dawson featured in the magazine And even better you took us all along for the ride Thank you Paul

The lady I mentioned who had the Tennesse Walking Horses was Annie Wilkins A tough old lady amd the horse was called Rex You probably need to read the book to learn more Here's a link to the lady and here riding adventures Mesannie Wilkins - Wikipedia https://share.google/s1CH6dfTHyK29oapT Oh yeah, John Wayne is a pretty interesting bloke, the more I learn about him the more interesting he was Paul