lsubler Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Actually joined the site after a few weeks of being referred to it last night. Looking to restore a 1974 R700L. Originally a west coast mack, that went through a bit of an abortion... The truck is pretty well complete, but the motor and transmission (and aluminum frame rails) I guess i have a few questions. A, Where can i find a good V-8 mack motor/transmission. B. Did they produce one at this point with a V-12 Detroit? C. I'm new to this but its the truck i first drove around the parking lot (when i was 12) and then again down the road when i was 21. Love the truck to death and I want to finally turn it into something that will turn some heads. I want the Mack motor but my father is dead set on a V-12. Any help or leads would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!! LukePS. I want to put it on aluminum frame rails. Told I'm crazy because who does that...But i ask the same question...Who does that? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 A. Good older V8's are getting very scarce and usually guys that do have them are ones that won't part with them.You didn't mention which one you want,the 865 or 866. Transmissions are not a problem.B. They made a handful of V12 powered western R's,the RS771 and RL771,,but you are talking major modifications to fit one in a non-factory V12 truck,mainly the cowl extension,extra air cleaner,and all your engine mounts. Not saying it's impossible,anything is with money and talent.C. If you have steel rails now and want to go to aluminum,,I don't know where you would ever get new rails,your best bet would be to find a truck with a good frame and build it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243584 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Superdog: I'm on the hunt for a V-8 lol Starting to find that i might have to strip another truck to do that! im not quite sure which of the mack motors i'd be looking at. I'm 30 and this truck is my baby!.!.!.! Yet again my dad still wants a dirty dozen. I told him that I had found a few via a lot of searches. How many were a handfull??? They may have mis-posted the same as I. All I know is that its a big hooded mack that came with a V-8 and I want it to breathe the same breaths again! It has all the parts and I want to get the ole girl running the same as it once did. I will post pictures tomorrow... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243586 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 Look at your VIN #,if its a RS795LST,then it had the ENDT 865 Maxidyne V8,if its a RS797LST,it had the ENDT866 Thermodyne V8 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243588 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 They built 3 RL771LST's (aluminum frame with V12 Detroit power) and 7 RS771LST's (steel frame with V12 Detroit power) Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243589 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 Thank you! Do you have any idea when they built the Dirtys? I know what our truck came with but this might be a comprismise between my dad and I! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243590 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted April 28, 2014 Author Share Posted April 28, 2014 FYI I do love that I'm a "Puppy Poster" Bulldog! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243591 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 the last V12 Western R was built in '73 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243592 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullhusk Posted April 28, 2014 Share Posted April 28, 2014 If your dad wants a Detroit it would be a lot E/Z to put a Silver 8V-92 475-500 hp motor in then a V12BULLHUSK 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243593 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAD DOG Posted April 29, 2014 Share Posted April 29, 2014 A friend of mine has an F Model with an 866 in it, truck is scrap but engine is complete and ran when he parked it. It has a 5 spd behind it which I don't think is the original tranny in the truck he also has an extra 866 in the shed with a bad bottom end but it's complete also. He says he'll part with them and told me make an offer. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243676 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted April 29, 2014 Author Share Posted April 29, 2014 Well knowing that Mack did offer the dirty dozen at one point I know that I'm going to have a battle on my hands! Either motor should turn out great, just depends on what we can come up with! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-243692 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted May 2, 2014 Author Share Posted May 2, 2014 But I've heard Alcoa sells extruded aluminum rails and I've searched the site but nothing on them. Where the heck to do you find these things!?!?!? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244010 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTFormula Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 I think the easiest thing is to return the truck back the way it came. V8 and steel rails. This will get you back on the road quicker and maybe you and your pop can see if you can find a Detroit powered aluminum rail truck for him. Most importantly, post pics of your R and welcome! 1 Quote ~ JT Burkard ~ AKA Sweaty Mackwww.jtresto.com www.wickedreputation.netwww.jonathanthomasmotorcars.com Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244034 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 well, when my dad purchased the truck in, I believe 90' the truck did have aluminum rails. Unfortunately they were too far gone at that point. So the ole girl is going to have another restoration... This time she'll be restored correctly and taken care of the same. Like i said, it was the truck i learned to drive in when I was 12 so I want her standing tall! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244118 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdogtrucker Posted May 3, 2014 Share Posted May 3, 2014 Have any pics of the truck? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244120 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted May 3, 2014 Author Share Posted May 3, 2014 No, I've needing to do that for the last few weeks. Tomorrow work should be done at Noon so if its not raining I'll have some posted. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244122 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post lsubler Posted May 6, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 6, 2014 5 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244476 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 That looks good,you've got alot to work with there. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244479 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted May 6, 2014 Author Share Posted May 6, 2014 Yes, its all there but the correct motor and possibly tranny. Originally intended to use as a local truck and in a matter of no time it had 400k on it as it was our backup. If anyone is interested in a 350 big cam let me know. Hasnt been started in about 3 years, but I'll guarantee if we put in a set of batteries and it will fire right up. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244481 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 looks good,,,good luck with it...bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244487 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby j Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Good looking tractor........best of luck with it and welcome.......bobby j. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdogtrucker Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 What's wrong with the frame rails?You mentioned swapping them out... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244501 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vision386 Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 That's a sharp truck! big fan of the Western R-Models,just have to make the STRONG argument against the Green-Leaker! personally,i'd look for a good used E-6 or even a 237 before a drip-troit!...............................Mark 1 Quote Mack Truck literate. Computer illiterate. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244548 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted May 6, 2014 Share Posted May 6, 2014 Nice looking truck on the picture.Good luck on the project.And... the most important moment in any resto deal is to plan and provide a work to have it done one day.Vlad Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244549 Share on other sites More sharing options...
lsubler Posted May 7, 2014 Author Share Posted May 7, 2014 The only reason I want to go with new frame rails is because I REALLY want to take it back to aluminum rails if possible. I'm not 100% sold on Detroit power, but if it was offered at some point I'm more than willing to take a look at it, especially since it is a rare truck and with the combination makes it even more of a rare truck. We have been detroit lovers for a long time (in the blood I guess) but I still lean to a "purebread" bulldog. As for the restoration, I have have the space and know how to make it happen, so its a done deal once the ball starts rolling. Unfortunately there will be plenty of time donated, but what great restoration isnt paid for with only blood sweat and tears? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35546-restoration-of-a-74-r700l/#findComment-244589 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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