Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 53 Block question

[TMBY]

53 in on passenger side and a series of small numbers is on the driver side where the 53 should be. Anyone else seen blocks like this or know if they differ from the typical 53?

 

[B.G. Smith]

It is my understanding that the 53 on the questionable blocks is on drivers side of block under the injection pump. I had a 99 and had no problems, sold at 115,000 miles. bg

 

[FourBarR]

These are made in mexico and are 54 and 56 which are heavier than the 53. I have a 53 block with 557,000 kms or 346,000k. no problems. towing heavy ,and increasing power output can stress the block. they crack on the rh. side below the frost plugs.

 

[TMBY]

What I am confused about is the block has 53 on the passenger side but on the driver side where the 53 should be there are 4 or 5 small numbers / letters. None of the info I have found so far (after extensive searching) has any information about a block like this.

 

[HBarlow]

I've never seen a 53 block but over the years every comment and photo on the TDR website has shown and described it as being on the driver's side under the injection pump as BG Smith wrote above.

Have you used the search feature and read old posts? That is where your question will be answered.

 

[TMBY]

Sorry folks I cleaned the driver side area of the block and sure as #@$%! there is a big arse 53 there. Nice big 53 on both sides

 

[FourBarR]

I do remember when this subject first came out several people posted about 53 being on both sides of the block. More common on the drivers side.

 

[HBarlow]

We're sorry too but many of them provide long service life even though 53 blocks are generally considered risky.

 

[SHobbs]

I have it on both sides, one as stated earlier under the injection pump and the passenger side behind the oil filter. So far 280k miles and no cracking.