Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 2001 cracked block

[klaybus]

53 BLOCK!

Sh$t!!

Just found the casting number this AM... . Truck has 98k miles & so far, so good. Does anyone know how often there is actually a problem with this casting? Some of what I read on this board seems to get kinda blown out of proportion a bit.

Should I start shoppin around for a new truck due to this problem or is it 1 in a 1000 that actually cracks?

Just bought this truck 4 months ago & discovered the LP problems, VP44 problems, KDP problems, Weak 47RE, & now the 53 block problems... What next?



Don't get me wrong I love this truck (CTD) but what next?



Clay

 

[tazzen]

i got a Mexican-block no 53 on mineOo.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: 53 BLOCK!

Originally posted by klaybus

Sh$t!!





Should I start shoppin around for a new truck due to this problem or is it 1 in a 1000 that actually cracks?



Clay

I would not worry about it. It would have a bigger chance of cracking if you tow and haul at the Max gross weight all of the time. Other wise I doubt you would ever have a problem. But it is one of though things that you can keep in your back pocket and use if someday you want a new truck and your wife wants to give you a hard time

 

[Turbo Trucker]

Woo hoo Mexican block here. Thank god, I pull heavy loads.

 

[Hillbilly Hotrodder]

Pit Bull

Originally posted by Pit Bull

All 2002's are #56 blocks or if you are real lucky its a Mexican block.

No guarantees on that.



My 09-01 produced 2002 has the 55 block. No mistake, it's not a 53, or Mexican either.

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: Pit Bull

Originally posted by Hillbilly Hotrodder

No guarantees on that.



My 09-01 produced 2002 has the 55 block. No mistake, it's not a 53, or Mexican either.

I'd sell it if I were you :-laf I'll give you $1,000

 

[Oil Burner]

Richie,

55 blocks are fine. I've got one in my 01. 5.

-Jason

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Vaughn, I got the heavy-duty Mexican block too... Build date was 4/00.

 

[wyosteve]

Boys you've got me nervous. I have a March 00 built 01 HO. I'm going to try and look tonight. Is it possible to see the numbers from the top, or do you get under the truck? Thanks

 

[RADdodge]

Paranoia strikes deep

Into your life it will creep

Starts when your reading this stuff

And all you do to your truck,

It’s never enough.



Stop children,

What’s that sound

Everybody look -

You’re going down….



Man, just when you think things are going well – someone throws a ringer!

The suspense is starting to eat at me too. I guess I’ll have to take a look under the hood too.

 

[wyosteve]

Hooray, I've got a Mexican. The only thing that's gone right with this truck lately. March 00 build date on 01 HO.

 

[radar doctor]

BLOCK CHECK

I HAVE A99. WHERE ON THE BLOCK DO I LOOK FOR THE NUMBERS AND WHAT ARE THEY? THANKS BILL

 

[RICHIE 2]

Originally posted by Evan A. Beck

Vaughn, I got the heavy-duty Mexican block too... Build date was 4/00.

You sux Evan!







kris

 

[rashwor]

"53" Club...

You are a distinguished member of the "53" club if your block has a "53" stamped in the left side of the block below the power steering pump, about 1 inch above the bottom of block (where the oil pan meets the block).



I drive a '99 model and I am a member of the "53" club. I want to say to all of my fellow members, don't let this consume you. The odds of your block cracking are slim. If you pump enough power from any engine, you can crack the block, blow a head, or blow a piston. You can spend your time worrying about "what if", or you can spend your time seeing how many miles you can get on the truck. I choose the latter. I am at 130,600 and counting. I work the truck hard and will continue to do so. If I was running a gasser (any block) I would already be on a second motor. I know. I have run both Chevy and Ford big block gassers.



If the block cracks, you have four choices. Patch your block, buy a new block, buy another engine from a wreck, or buy a new truck. None are bad options, and none are cheap.



Sorry, but I just want everyone to enjoy these trucks and not obcess over the "what ifs". You are running one of the best engines on the road... only to be bettered by another Cummins. Enjoy your trucks and drive them like you stole them! You only live once!

 

[Sixpack]

YeeHa!Oo. Oo. Taco Block here!

 

[Floor It]

My cousin has a 99' with 165,000 of HARD miles and his is still ok.

 

[rashwor]

Patching a crack...

I found this thread here on TDR. If you are worried about your block cracking, take heart, it can be repaired. Shouldn't be too too costly! Note: I have NO personal experience with any of this.



Here is the thread.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=59770&highlight=cracked+block+fix

 

[curatchko]

That was a good thread on repairing the cracks. I have a 53 myself.



My only thoughts are what caused the crack... . was it from a stress or from a flaw in the casting? If it was from a stress I would worry about it moving around after it was fixed...



I wonder if instead of set screws they were using pipe plugs... . the tapered thread might preload the material and keep the repair from moving around due to loads...



... just a thought. Whole deal sucks really. Even 2 percent is a lot of blocks.

 

[Smokin Joes 2500]

what block do I have

I looked under my truck all I see is a bunch of numbers and letters but no 50 whatever no 53 no 56. Am I looking in the right spot? I see like 2B then 123(about half ground off) then 00E2A something or another? help? Ive got paranoia like RADDodge was talkin about. I figure my luck the ol' 02' will be the only one with the 53 block!



Can you tell me what I gots??? Thanks guys!!!

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

well thats what cummins gets for not making it in the USA, I am sure if it was made in the USA it would have had better quality than some 3rd world country... just my 2 cents



Gary