Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 2001 cracked block

[99cumminsfred]

I guess I got really lucky one this one!!! 83,000 original miles and 100% rust free!! I had known a little about the 53 Block but didn't even think to look for it when I bought this one!! So I guess it was a good gamble to buy it!!

 

[SAndreasen]

Just because you don't see the 53 under the power steering pump don't mean it ain't on the other side of the block when I bought mi truck guy said no it ain't a 53 crawled under liooked up buy power steering pump no numbers even thought I felt some small numbers : felt real good just for fun I was looking around on the other side of the block one day there it was a big 53 starring me right in the face just becuSe it ain't one side don't mean it ain't on the other

 

[99cumminsfred]

I looked at both sides and there definitely is no 53 anywhere. It doesn't say anything on the passenger side at all.

 

[DavidC]

I looked at both sides and there definitely is no 53 anywhere. It doesn't say anything on the passenger side at all.

Maybe replaced already. Mine has about 81k and the 53 replaced around 37k.

Dave

 

[SAndreasen]

Do a google search there is about four or five different places the 53 can be cast into the block

 

[DClark]

Well Guys, I can tell you that 53 blocks don't always crack externally. My 98 24V started putting out white smoke and the temp went up too fast for winter. I thought I blew a head gasket. Next morning it had leaked a mixture of oil and coolant on the ground. Pulled the block and never found the internal failure. It was not repairable. I bought a recycled non--53 block (hard to find). I have not looked to see where my current one was manufactured. This truck had 175K on the clock and was not used hard. Regular maintenance. IMO 53 blocks are a crap shoot. You are driving a time bomb. There is no way to know when it will blow. Sorry that's the facts. There is nothing you can do the prevent it. No special care will prevent it. It is a low quality block and Cummins got away with a big one on this one. So if you own one, just drive it as normal and keep an eye on it, or replace the block, or buy a different truck.
DClark

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

It seems '99s were the worst for 53 blocks, most but not all '99s had 53 blocks. 2wd trucks with manual transmissions I think were the best chances of coming up with a non-53 block.

Since my posts years ago in this thread I have acquired a '98.5 auto with you guessed it, a 53 block. So far so good at 205,ooo miles, I don't spend much time worrying about it!

 

[SAndreasen]

250,000 on mine hope it don't crack after 17 years in not going to lose much sleep

 

[desertrydr]

You don't have to tow max weight to crack, I tow a little 2 horse bumper pull trailer, gross weight less than 6000#. Mine cracked. I am trying to find a cheaper repair than the $9000. that Cummins wants to fix it. NO Freebie block, no freebie anything. At least they were polite. Dodge told me that there's not a problem with the blocks, because it's not on their website. They were downright rude.

 

[SAndreasen]

Guess I got lucky

 

[SAndreasen]

This one scaled 31900