53 block

[SAndreasen]

Well I’m the newest member of the cracked 53 block club At 269000 miles

 

[NIsaacs]

Which truck?

Nick

 

[DavidC]

Yours lasted a lot longer than mine. I think it went about 39k. I take the truck as being the 98.

Dave

 

[jgillott]

So sorry to hear that. The 53 block was one of the main reasons I sold my former '01 years ago. You just never know when it will go.

 

[Regcabguy]

18K on my 98.5. Got a new shortblock under warranty. Another 53. Sold the truck with 50K on it.

 

[jimpeg1]

Our 98 cracked about 8 yrs ago. Had about 10" long leak. Pulled engine and sent it in to a shop to be pinned. Wasn't completely convinced that it would last, but it is still holding up with no leakage. (Knock on wood)...

 

[SAndreasen]

I guess I should update my profile I totaled the 94 last fall so yip. Its the 98 I'm thinking of using some cold weld a jug of stop leak and run it and watch it

 

[DavidC]

I tried the JB weld trying to buy some time, didn't work so well.

Dave

 

[SAndreasen]

I have a friend that has used this stuff to repair blocks before he said it cost 800$ for the two pArts guess we'll try it and see don't really have much to lose at this point

 

[NIsaacs]

I think you need to save your $800, it won't work on a Dodge application with the location of the motor mount. That's what breaks it, especially with a standard transmission. Then if you add some bucking under load due to a grabby clutch it just makes it worse.

You won't see a cracked block in a commercial/industrial application, because they use a front and rear (bell housing) mount. The torque on the mount, in the middle of the block, is significant.

Nick

 

[SAndreasen]

We already have the paste so we are out no cash . What’s the worst that can happen it’ll ruin the block ? I’ve always warmed this truck up and cooled it down and i shift so smooth you can’t feel the change in gears

 

[DonFitzwater]

Lock-N-Stitch. Works awesome on the 53 blocks. They have a good kit for them.

 

[SAndreasen]

So what if a guy made a mount from the bellhousing to the frame to keep the engine from flexing ?

 

[NIsaacs]

So what if a guy made a mount from the bellhousing to the frame to keep the engine from flexing ?

No, that will make it worse when the frame flexes. That is why in an automotive application, the engine/transmission combo is always a three point mount, either one front and two rear or two front and one rear.

The most torque is applied to the motor mount during a first gear launch with a heavy load, the bigger the load or more resistance, such as up hill or soft ground, the more torque on the mount. When I get in a bind like this I use low range 4x4 even if the front axle is on dry ground. I figure the stress is less on the front axle than on the mount. I have a 56 block but still don't trust it, Lol.

The Cummins engine is heavy, so off highway, washboard roads and bad pot holes puts a strain on the mounts. We have some bad rural highways out here and when I hit a bad hole I always cringe.

Nick

 

[Timd32]

TDR Issue 62 page 22 has a write up on the Lock-N-Stitch.

There is a download link for the issue just below the current magazine, "digital magazines"