mrsmackpaul

We are counting down the days until the Kyabram Mack Muster! Put it in your calanders folks 21st and 22nd of March 2026!! Mack Fact for all you fans…. The Golden Era of the R Series! 🚛 The strong acceptance of the R model, with its large cab, new-fangled fibreglass and tough steel bonnet options, and tried-and-true drivetrain components was reflected in the sales statistics – nearly 280 in the first 18 months of R series production. At the same time, Mack Australia was still building the last of the B models – around 60 in the same period. The clear engine and transmission choice was the 211hp naturally aspirated END711 with the 18-spd Quad box – nearly 70% of these B & R models had this combo. To change this operator preference, something REALLY special would have to happen. The Golden Era of Mack Engines arrived in early 1968 – something special was about to happen! It was the MAXIDYNE concept – the gold-painted turbocharged 237hp Mack ENDT675 engine, with its industry-leading torque of 900 lb-ft. Mack boldly matched the engine with a 5-speed transmission to take full advantage of the incredible high torque for maximum fuel economy, reduced gear shifts and improved trip time. This drivetrain was revolutionary, and the Mack ads of the day highlighted the reduced driver effort – a big change from 18 gears and 2 sticks to one stick with 5 or 6 gears at most. Of course, a special identity came with the Maxidyne concept – a gold bonnet mascot. Now staring at a dog’s bum all day had a whole new look! The Golden (Maxidyne) era lasted 15 years – until 1981, when the air-to-air intercooled Econodyne engine series was introduced. Of the 13 different engines offered over the period, Maxidyne engines were fitted to nearly two-thirds of the almost 3,500 R models built. An amazing outcome that we all love! Paul

My boy is flying down on the 13th March from north QLD to polish and tidy the old bucket of bolts up I have been charged with making a new exhaust and fixing air leaks and tidying up other bits and bobs Would like to re plumb the air system as the airlines are about stuffed Paul

THE COUNT DOWN IS ON: 26 DAYS Bit of a long one today - The R model Grows Up! With the increased demand for the R series, resulting from the release of the stump puller Maxidyne 237 engine, more Mack owners got a taste of what real performance was all about - suddenly those hills were dimples! This, in turn, created the demand for a truck with even more performance! So in late 1970, the R model got stretched - 12 inches or 300mm in length, to accommodate a longer bonnet and was known as the R700 series. It would house the emerging larger more powerful engines from Mack and other engine suppliers. Mack had been working on an update to its 14.2 litre V8 - using the now proven turbocharger technology to increase engine performance and efficiency. However, this was still under development in the USA so, in Australia, that extra space was, initially, mostly filled by the 237hp Maxidyne and a noisy V8 - the 318hp GM 8V71NA. For the first time, Mack had engines that delivered high torque or above 300 hp - an incredible output in 1971! Later that year, the Mack 14.2 litre ENDT865 Maxidyne V8 arrived - 325hp and nearly 1000lbft - and so now the R700 series offered serious performance. The shorter R600 series was also upgraded - getting a turbocharged and inter-cooled version (aka Cool-Power) of the Maxidyne 6 cylinder - 285hp and over 1000 lbft - a real hot rod! To keep up with demand for higher performing highway trucks, the R700 lead the way again, getting a Thermodyne version of the new Mack V8 - it delivered 375hp. Cummins 14litre engines were also fitted, with a 400hp rating being available. In 1976, the R series got a even bigger brother - a rugged Flintstone looking off road R800 version, with massive frames and hauling capacity. It shared the same R cab and engine options as the R600 and R700 - but serious hauling capacity set it apart. We will talk about the BIGGEST R series later. In 1978, the next evolution of the R700 was launched in Australia - a bold square bonnet with heaps of space to accommodate the biggest and highest performing engines of that era - the first 3 were fitted with the largest diesel truck engine then available - the huge 450hp 18 litre Cat 3408 V8. Mack was developing its own high performance V8 - the 16.4litre E9 rated initially at 400hp. To go with the bold look, this R700 Series was aptly named Super-Liner. Over the next 13 years, the R700 Super-Liner evolved into a second series and the engine performance continued to grow - to 500 hp. The R600 series also continued to grow, transforming in 1986 into the set back steer axle Value-Liner range, offering Mack 12 litre E7 6 cylinders engine up to 400 hp. There was also a R700 version of the Value-Liner, fitted with the 16.4litre MACK E9 V8. In its 24 years, the R600 series evolved from the rugged Flintstone to the nimble Value-Liner - and in 1990, the last new R series was introduced - known as the Metro-liner, it was a tough compact urban hauler. We will have a look at this uniquely Aussie Bulldog later. Paul

Ha ha, yeah like that is really gunna happen lol I think tofu is actually on the menu tonight, a first for me, not even sure what it looks like It finally rained here, still muggy and warm Paul

Yeah, as above I'm thinking a carton of Marlboro and the bottles of Yukon Jack might be the go Oh and a full size model to keep you warm Tofu ???

Yeah, it does apparently get cold in aome parts of the world Stay warm and dry, if all else fails, drink Bourbon Have discovered the brand of Basil Hayden Bourbon Not a bad drop and sure to help keep you warm And I hope you don't end up with 50 strand Hereford steers after the storm Paul

Brocky, you ask and Google offers the answer Paul

Well it's meant to rain here, well at the moment actually Any still is meant to be raining Pretty crappy amd muggy at the moment We have just clay soil here and if there's any more than a 1/4 of a inch of rain we can't move So loaded the Mack for another run Still a good old bucket of bolts Just got a message about another load today, Princess will not be happy ha ha ha don't get to lost in the snow there Paul

From a Commer promo film, a Commer knocker bags up this old Mack in Mexico climbing a hill Paul

Old mother nature can be very fickle 39° C (102°f) today, out running hay about, no aircon in Mrs Mack, but I was still smiling Paul

Not cool or to cool I'll be out in my bucket of bolts running hay again tonight Rolls of hay go this way, rolls of hay go that way Stuff just goes round and round lol Paul

Glad your all on the mend by the sounds of it Enjoy the rest while you get it Paul

Aluminum isn't that hard to weld I have MIG welded aluminium a few times or more and never really found it difficult Providing it is aluminium Wash it clean and get it looking like aluminium first Then get some vinegar and wash the aluminium with the vinegar If the aluminum changes colour ot isn't aluminum If it stays the same ot probably is aluminum Change the runner and rollers in the MIG and use pure Argon Amps on full noise Hold the gun at least 2 1/2 inches (7 cm) from the area to be welded And hook in, heaps of gas flow and no wind It really isn't as hard as people think Some dum ass put a bolt in on a angle in his hay baler this and cracked the gearbox housing Pulled it apart and washed it in petrol Then did as above, heli-coiled the blot hole and put it all back together No dramas at all Paul

Now that's a mile stone, good job Paul

So did I

Hey hey hey, hang on a minute, don't go jiggering Spam by adding politics Spam is good tucker, even I can cook it Paul

A bit late to the party here But I have done some pretty tough years farming over years, lost more in some years than a lot of people see at one time in their life I kinda think that life is pretty short and if we can afford to have a bit of fun doing silly things along the way that bring us joy, then why not, we may not be here tomorrow and then what was the point in working hard Oh yeah, for particular reason, a load of hay I delivered last night in the bucket of bolts Looks quite fancey in sun Paul

I gather all injectors are now out, it can take a while sometimes to get them out, especially when they are rusted in good Paul

My brother bought a ex Australian Army Mack, 285 Maxidyne 5 speed Anyway, bro bought this truck and reckoned a 5 speed was no good and needed extra gears like a 12 speed I said 2 him, just let it lug, and when you wanna change a gear don't, let it lug a lot more Once you've done this for 6 months, see if you really want a 12 speed That was a few years ago now and the 5 speed is still there My point is just get it going, drive it for a while and then see what you think Paul

That's a pretty good service, never got the power going in the snow before, but certainly have in torrential rain for customers Paul

Bugger me, good luck and a speedy recovery Paul

Hey Swishy, if you read this thread, explain about the pro's and cons of air over hydraulic brakes on a low loader with 15 inch rims You've told some stories in the past about the joys of that setup Paul

I wonder if it had hydraulic brakes on 15 inch hubs Most axles were fairly common back in the day and trailer manufacturers made their own hubs So it is quite possible that these axles are both original and different hubs and the like have been fitted over the years And that's no drama as this happens to almost all commercial vehicles over their work life Upgrading to maxi brakes is a bonus As to wheel and tyre sizes and clearances, that's something I can't help you with If it was me doing this I would just be a air kit and fit it along with your new axles, gets you compliant and safe for not a lot of money A little something like this, if the link works Retrofit Trailer Brake Kit 2 Axle Semi Trailer 10 Ton On Sale @ truckandtrailerpartsonline.com.au https://share.google/PE7gTI2lUoeFHVVWr If link no worky, Gets you every last clip, clamp and doohickie you will need in a kit Paul

So am I correct in what I'm seeing here, there's only ever been brakes fitted to one axle ? Paul