Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 53 12 v blocks (1998)

[Andy Redmond]

Does anyone have a range of engine serial numbers for the "53" blocks, which could be affected by cracking?



Also anyway of decoding Quick Serve to determine which "vendor" cast the block?



Thanks in advance,

Andy

 

[coadman]

Andy,

After reading and reading about the "53" block scenario, this is what I have kind of interpreted. IMO, the "53" block probably exists in many of the 12v motors around, but it is either a differant casting or from a differant plant than the "53" blocks in the 24v engines. The "53" in the 24v motors is what led me to seek out a pre 1998 1/2 truck. I just didnt want to take the chance of the block cracking, when the 12 valves I have read about had no problem, with some of these having the 53 block. I purchased a 1997, and I havent even looked to see if it has the "53" block in it, as I'm not concerned with it cracking, any more than I would any other block in a 12v motor. I may have a false sense of security, but I'm more concerned with the "KDP" issue in the 12v's than I am about the "53" block.

Good Luck,

Coadman

 

[knwells]

Does anyone have a range of engine serial numbers for the "53" blocks, which could be affected by cracking?



Also anyway of decoding Quick Serve to determine which "vendor" cast the block?



Thanks in advance,

Andy

Another question : Is it possible to have a 98 truck that is not a 53 block. I looked and looked according to the directions and my block does not appear to be a 53. If it is not what coding should there be? All saw was a reference to a B 140 stamped forward of the oil pan on the drivers side.



Any answers Please...

 

[JGK]

I have a friend with a '98 12-valve auto he says was built in Canada and it is not a 53 block apparently (no '53' cast into the block in the same place as mine, which is a 53).



-Jay

 

[Cooker]

Is your friends a QC? The QC's, which were assembled in Mexico, seem to have the 53 blocks.

 

[knwells]

Is your friends a QC? The QC's, which were assembled in Mexico, seem to have the 53 blocks.

Is this based on observation or is this a fact? .

 

[TPCDrafting]

Mine was built in St. Looooeeee and it has the 53. No cracks 'yet'

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[Cooker]

Is this based on observation or is this a fact? .

Of the dozen or so QC 12v trucks I have looked at, all had the 53 block.

 

[knwells]

Mine was built in St. Looooeeee and it has the 53. No cracks 'yet'

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How many miles do you have and what month and year was your truck made?



I was just wondering because my 98 12 QC has a date of MFG of 9 97 posted on its sticker in the driver side door frame.

 

[JGK]

Is your friends a QC? The QC's, which were assembled in Mexico, seem to have the 53 blocks.

'Tis indeed a QC. Short bed 4X4.

 

[Cooker]

'Tis indeed a QC. Short bed 4X4.

I thought for certain the QC's were assembled in Sicallito (sp?) Mexico. I guess they rolled off other lines as well.

 

[knwells]

I thought for certain the QC's were assembled in Sicallito (sp?) Mexico. I guess they rolled off other lines as well.

Mine is from St loeee. too.

 

[TPCDrafting]

QC short bed 5 speed 4x4 here as well, 124k miles, this is my door sticker. I've got my engine number etc. written down somewhere.



#ad

 

[Hammer]

Another question : Is it possible to have a 98 truck that is not a 53 block

Yes it is possible to have a 1998 12 valve and not have the dreaded 53 block. They were not a problem in the 12 valve motors like they were in the 24valvers. More material was taken out of the block(thinner casting) for the purpose of allowing the motor to heat up more efficently(quicker) for emissions purposes and when stressed they would crack easily. The problem arises due to the block actually flexing while under load and the rail cracks. It is a well know problem in alot of motorhomes equipped with the 24 valve 5. 9s.

Is your friends a QC? The QC's, which were assembled in Mexico, seem to have the 53 blocks.

This is also a incorrect statement as Quad Cabs were assembled in both plants,Mexico and St Louis. The build on mine was late December of 1997,was assembled in St Louis,and I do not have the 53 block. The serial number on my 12 valver is 20 numbers before my buddies truck,which is a 1998. 5 built in St Louis,that recieved the 24 valve. Needless to say he has been kicking himself ever since he picked it up wishing he had the properly valved truck... ... Andy

 

[The patriot]

My 1998 has a 53 block. It was built in St. Louis.

I ordered it in September, and picked it up from the dealer on Dec 26th.

I have 106K miles, bone stock except for injectors, and a BHAF.

No problems yet... ... ... .....

Eric

 

[JGK]

Mine was assembled in October of '97 in the St. Louis plant according to the VIN.



My friend's shortie QC was assembled in Nov. of '97 also at the St. Louis plant. He says he did a Carfax look-up on it before he bought it. His contention that it was a Canadian (destined) truck was that it has the daytime running lights, per Carfax. Yet the dash is clearly for the US market.



Whatever. In any case, both are QC 4X4 from the same plant, 1 month apart, yet different blocks.



-Jay

 

[rrl989]

My 1998 has a 53 block. It was built in St. Louis.

I ordered it in September, and picked it up from the dealer on Dec 26th.

I have 106K miles, bone stock except for injectors, and a BHAF.

No problems yet... ... ... .....

Eric

Hey Patriot, I could have written your post except I think I picked mine up Dec 28th? and I now have 104K miles... ... . I bet our VIN's are real close.



Ron

 

[ndurbin]

VINs that start with 1 where built in the USA. Vins that start with 3 where built in Mexico. VINs that start with 2 I believe where built in Canada. It's been alittle while since I looked at the VIN decoding on Dave Fritz's site, but on of the numbers in the VIN indicates which plate it was built at also.



Nathan

 

[Andy Redmond]

Thanks all...



I was referring to decoding the engine serial number (Cummins) to determine what block vendor/plant was used.



In my example, this block/engine was built on 10/1/1997 according to the Cummins Quickserve data.



It was in a St. Louis built Quad Cab (W =1998; J = st. louis xxxxxx . . last eight of VIN), 2x4 5 Spd. Number 5/6 area came apart last summer. Requiring building up a core short block. 130K ish mileage. .



CPFF/John Strenkowski was doing some r&d on some block strengthing plates/welding technique for affected engine blocks (presumably prior to any damage).



Thanks, Andy

 

[The patriot]

Hey Patriot, I could have written your post except I think I picked mine up Dec 28th? and I now have 104K miles... ... . I bet our VIN's are real close.



Ron

Mine is a 2500 QC LWB 4X4. 5 speed.

It would have gotten to me faster, but there was some sort of railroad strike, held it up a bit.

Still the best dam birthday present I ever got, even if it was a week and a day late. :-laf