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Mack - 8D is a 6-letter word for 'secret', with half missing; definition (last 2 words) refers to a mathematical function, see BRB.
I think you need the extra words from 5D and 6D to define entries you mention.

Grunos
37A - review leads to wordplay for a letter missing from a word for wife.
3D - 2 word entry. I assume first word is clear - second word is I believe an obscure word meaning pill.

Ah yes I see it now. Thanks jbird54

We’ve been treated to a few beauties in recent weeks. Blows my mind how the setters think these up

I read the preamble several times before I could make the number of clues add up. Which was dim of me.

An admirable and educational puzzle.

Another absolutely brilliant puzzle! We have had some zingers recently; congratulations to Smudge.

Thanks, jbird. 8 down all clear now. After I posted, I realised how to match all the themed entries to missing words: the problem was that for two entries I had used the last two letters instead of using just one with another from a different clue.

I see that it has been suggested that guesswork is required to complete the thematic entries, without using the spare words. I do not consider this to be the case, as once the relevant work has been identified, the thematic entries are pretty straightforward

Magnificent construction and some great clues. Perhaps my favourite this year.

Two tiny loose ends in parsing for me:

3a - the answer, not the entry. The platform is the first four letters, two wheels at the end, and the ‘number 18, literally’ are all very clear. Where does the A come from?

19d seems to be an anagram of HLP SOO (after removing one word), plus SP. SP would be Sweep’s clothing; where does the ‘little’ fit in? Or is the SP ‘clothing’ the anagram? Either way, what is ‘little’ for?

Quiz, Ar as a two-letter word represents 18 literally.

19d is trickier. Anagram of Soo + h(e)lp replacing (for) wee (little) in S(wee)p.