Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 53 block and 99 questions

[kentdiesel]

Here's a pic of the "53" on a 1998 12V. A 24V would be the same.

The "53" is on the drivers side, near the front of the engine, right above the oil pan.

 

[Black-Smoker]

Great picture I am going to check mine again just to make shure I lucked out and dont have the 53. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[BigEasy]

Thanks for the photo KD... now I really know what I'm looking for at the dealerships...

 

[Bob4x4]

madaddy,would your name happen to be Pat?



Bob

 

[macdaddy]

Yep

Thats me!!!!!!!

Is this Dodge Bob??????

 

[Bob4x4]

yup I guessed as much

 

[skillsaw]

I'm nervous to go out & check!!!

:--)

 

[GKinney]

kentdiesel

Are the bosses ahead of the trouble light in your pic. where the power steering pump is mounted?? I just changed the oil on mine and looked everywhere on the block, that I could see anyway and found no casting number. I did find a number towards the front of the block above the oil pan that was about 6 digits long, then it had a big 'B' below that. I figured that would identify the B series engine. If I have to take parts off to see the #, I guess I will wait until she starts spewing coolant, then drive it to the junk yard... ... . Thanks for the great pic though. Gary

 

[kentdiesel]

Gary,

You will not have to remove any components to see the "53" number.

Look down at the photo I posted earlier and you will see the tie rod right below the numbers. This was on a 4WD truck.



Here is another pic showing the drivers side, front corner of the block, you can see the drive housing that bolts to the front of the block. The boss you mentioned isn't used for anything.



The power steering pump was on the engine when the pic was taken.

Maybe you aren't a member of the "53" club.

 

[GKinney]

'53 club

Kentdiesel,,,, yes I see now where the number is supposed to be located. You may be right on not having one on mine... . I know I searched all over in that area of my block. Well when I get a chance I will take another look,, either way I am not going to panic if it is a '53er. Maybe I will just put in a Cat 3406 and be done with it... . hahahaha. Thanks for yet another great photo!!

 

[BigEasy]

Maybe I will just put in a Cat 3406 and be done with it... . hahahaha.

He said the BAD 'C' word!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YUCK! Think, BIG CAM!

 

[GKinney]

checked again

Kentdiesel,,,, well I couldn't stand it anymore so I had to look at the block again. My block looks completely different than the '53 block pix. Mine doesn't even have the square where the 53 is. My 'B' is just about where the 53 is one yours. Above that is where the 6-8 digit # is. I also have a big wiring harness attached to the rearward lower hole in that boss in your second pic. Guess I am luckly then???

BigEasy... ... I know I was desperate... . had to throw in the 'C' word. My Dad drove one of those for 40 years... . must be it rubbed off on me..... haha.

Anyway thanks again for all your help and pix. Kentdiesel..... makes being a member on here really worth while!!!!!!! Keep 'em smokin! Gary

 

[LandShark]

The only number I could find in this area is ' 0505Y'. Anyone have any idea what this means?

 

[DavidC]

The only number I could find in this area is ' 0505Y'. Anyone have any idea what this means?

No but as long as it is not 53 be happy.



Dave

 

[CORed]

You have got to be kidding me... any more confirmation / detail on the costs? I want to know for sure if my 53 block cracks under 100,000 or 5 years, I will have to cover ALL the costs except for $1000??? This is total crap!!! It's total crap if it cracks AFTER 5 yrs and 100,000 miles too IMO.



Geez!!! That is an expensive timebomb!!! When I add in all the other $$$ required to keep the front-end barely satisfactory and make sure the VP44 doesn't run out of fuel, adding a new engine (maybe) will push me over the edge!! Sure I could solve this all right now by going to an 03+, but why would I want to buy from DC again after they have shown their true customer service colors (or lack there of).



This is total crap!

 

[rmrc]

Cummins to 53 owners,, "Tuff Luck"

You have got to be kidding me... any more confirmation / detail on the costs? I want to know for sure if my 53 block cracks under 100,000 or 5 years, I will have to cover ALL the costs except for $1000??? This is total crap!!! It's total crap if it cracks AFTER 5 yrs and 100,000 miles too IMO.



Geez!!! That is an expensive timebomb!!! When I add in all the other $$$ required to keep the front-end barely satisfactory and make sure the VP44 doesn't run out of fuel, adding a new engine (maybe) will push me over the edge!! Sure I could solve this all right now by going to an 03+, but why would I want to buy from DC again after they have shown their true customer service colors (or lack there of).



This is total crap!

I can't blame you for your anger and totally agree with your outlook! The news that Cummins is now turning the other cheek and not even paying half the cost for the replacement engine has ruined my faith,,, and loyalty to Cummins. This is clearly a quality control issue which they have recognized, dealt with and now evidently abandoned, possibly due to the increased occurances in cracked 53 blocks.



Althought I really love my rig,,,, if the 53 block cracks, that'll be the end of the truck! I definitely won't have the cash to replace the engine! A new truck is "totally" out of the question (price)! I'm currently in the process of installing gauges and waiting for a DOR bumper to arrive to protect my rig as much as possible. Hopefully,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I won't have a problem with the 53 because I don't tow at all and rarely carry anything of substantial weight along with no plans for any power mods. Only time will tell!



Best of luck to all other 53 owners!

 

[C. Harlan]

I know CPeters has a 53 block, as well as Jim Fulmer's 804 HP machine. I have some other #'s on mine, as soon as I get all the oil and grease knocked off, I can tell y'all which one I got!



-Chris-

 

[cumminstogetya]

Is 53040 a 53 block? Dumb question by a simple properly valved guy.

 

[Alphacowboy]

you boys had me all worried... had to go look, and... . 55

 

[BigEd]

Hello Guys,



The question I have about the '99 - 53 block is: Are any of the failures due to the fact of hard towing and bombing. Has anyone had one fail that has had no excess strains? I talked to a guy in Glen Burnie, MD today at cummins and he said out of about 300,000 #53 blocks, there have only been about 5000 that have cracked. I don't know if this is true, but that's what he told me :-laf :-laf :-laf



My truck has 60,000 on it and it has never hauled or towed anything and is completely stock. I hope my chances are good



Many thanks!



Big Ed