Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) #53 Block Question

[BigEd]

I have a number 53 on my block. I really do not tow or haul anything. Bought the truck because I wanted it, not because I needed it. What are the chances of my block failing if I do not tow or abuse the engine?



I spoke with Cummins technical service and they are aware of the problem and they said they will not warrant the engine after 100K miles. This s#@ks if you ask me.



I don't want to sell the truck, but if I think I'm going to have problems later on, I will.



You guys are great! Many thanks!



Big Ed

 

[GDouglas]

My '99 has the dreaded 53 block too. I sure was disappointed when I learned about the thinner castings. So far so good at 40k miles. About all I can do is keep an eye out for a later model block for a standby in the future. One good thing for those of us in the "53" club is that you don't hear about near as many cracked block problems as you do lift pump problems. All we can do is keep fresh coolant inside every 2 years and I am considering the cheap insurance route against any possible erosion by adding the Ford DCA coolant additive.



Let's just keep our fingers crossed.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Block #53? What have I missed? Where is the # and what does it mean?



TIA

 

[rdanley]

#53 CLUB

JUST LOOK UNDER MY HOOD AND I AM NOW OFFACIALY A CLUB 53 MEMBER. HEY TEX I DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT I THINK THESE BLOCKS WERE ONLY ON THE 98. 5 AND EARLY 99 MODELS. MY QUESTION IS THIS HOW MUCH BOMBING CAN I DO AND BE SAFE I WAS PLANNING ON INSTALLING A EZ MODULE AND SOME DDII. NOW I DO CHANGE MY COOLANT ONCE A YEAR AND MY OIL EVERY 3K. I AM VERY ANAL WERE MAINTENCE IS CONCERNED. I HAVE 43K ON THE TRUCK NOW AND I LOVE IT IT PERFORMS LIKE A RABID APE OR SHOULD I BUY A NEW ONE AND HOPE IT PERFORMS



TEX IT MEANS THE NUMBER 53 BLOCKS HAVE A THINNER SIDE WALL THAN THE OTHERS I THINK THE NEWER BLOCKS ARE AROUND 12MM WERE THE 53 BLOCKS ARE AROUND 6MM:--)

 

[GDouglas]

There is a number on the drivers side of the block at the front just above the oil pan rail and under the accessory drive. It has been reported by some TDR members that their blocks have cracked on the passenger side rear just below the freeze plugs with mileages between 30k and 100k plus. The blocks with the 53 are reported to have thinner water jacket castings in this area approx 6mm thick along with some of the later early 54 blocks. The later 54 blocks and after are reported to have about 12mm thickness in that area. I forget which of our members knew about the above info, but I am sure if you do a search you will be able to find the original post. I also recall that the 12v and the 24v blocks are very much alike and possibly the older 12v blocks also have the thinner casting too. I did a search in the 12v forum for cracked blocks and didn't come up with anything.



So, we just have to keep our fingers crossed for the time being.

 

[jwilliams3]

To the best of my recollection... ... ... .

Pattern 54's were never used for Chrysler application (unless CMEP ran short on 53's).

So there could be some pattern 54 blocks in pickups out there.

Pattern 54's were used in Freightliner and Ford applications (54 was the heavier duty block).

CMEP evolved straight from pattern 53 to pattern 55 for Chrysler application.

Currently (late 2001-present) you will see a pattern 56 for all applications and this is the heaviest block to date.

 

[MikeR]

C'mon guys. You are all getting worked up for nothing. I don't have to tell you anything you buy has it's failure rates, and there is no way of ever knowing IF you have a characteristic block known for failures. You can't own any brand vehicle without hearing of someone's horror story.



The info I posted was from a Cummins tech that works on everything... busses, trucks both small and big. One thing I noticed is all of our 24v Dodge's through 2001 have #53 blocks, and since early 99 I may have heard of maybe 3 cracked blocks among the net. You guys are worried about nothing.

 

[DEZLPWR]

Hey Mike,

I have the dreaded #53 block... . Should I cancel my dyno session tomorrow so I don't blow up my motor?

No way man, it's bombs away for me!!

 

[Texas Diesel]

I must be blind or looking in the wrong area but I dont see a 53,54,55,56. There is an M9, a long number and 5BC nearest the oil pan. Any ideas? I am looking below the VP-44 near the oil pan.

 

[Bandit1]

do 12ver's have ot worry about this thinner block??

 

[DEZLPWR]

No one needs to worry about the thinner block!

Do you have trouble sleeping at night because you think you might die tomorrow? Don't worry, be happy & drive the cr@p out of your truck!

 

[jwilliams3]

Depending on block casting supplier, some blocks do not have the pattern # embossed on the casting.

 

[Archive]

If Dodge says don't worry, then don't worry. They would NEVER tell us a lie just to save a buck or two. I don't think this will be anymore of a problem than all of those lift pumps that there was nothing wrong with.

:--)

 

[Texas Diesel]

Ok, I drilled a hole and measured the thickness. It is 12mm, so now I can rest easy.

















Just kidding ( about drilling the core sample )

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Texas Diesel

I must be blind or looking in the wrong area but I dont see a 53,54,55,56. There is an M9, a long number and 5BC nearest the oil pan. Any ideas? I am looking below the VP-44 near the oil pan.

I'm with you Texas Diesel, the only number I can find in that area is a 3BC. Mine does not have a 53,54,55,56 anywhere. Mine is a 2000 24Valve manufactured in 11/99. I'm not worried since mine is a daily driver, it should last as long as I want to drive it. But I don't understand why some have numbers and others don't? Oh well just one more thing I don't understand??

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by jwilliams3

Depending on block casting supplier, some blocks do not have the pattern # embossed on the casting.

Thanks jwilliams3, I guess I have one of the nonlabeled blocks.

 

[Michael Hughes]

The number is close to the front of the block. I didn't see the number till I got down on the ground and looked. It is by the vacuum pump.



I also have a 53 block. I have 84xxx miles on the truck. I hual wood alot. Heat our house with a wood burning boiler.



Is there anyone out there that had one of these blocks and had problems before 100,000? Did DC or Cummins take care of it?

 

[CAM]

#55 on mine.



Build date 8/9/2000

 

[Mopar-muscle]

i'm in....

the number is hard to see , i had to look a couple times , you need a flashlight , the number size is about 1 inch .



my truck is a 2000 , dec99 build , and has 70k miles ... it leaks oil like a stuck pig , but no antifreeze ... yet ...



i did find a guy with 2 230HP motors for sale , maybe i'll buy one foa just incase

 

[DEZLPWR]

Mopar,

Where's the source of your oil leak? How bombed is your truck? It should obviously not be leaking oil @ 70K!