Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) "53" Block ??? What years

[TFPace]

Hello All!



What year models did DC but the 53 block Cummins into production?



I am guessing '99,'00,'01 or more?



Is it a given that the 53 block will crack & leak or are there examples some of these engines running fine?



Thanks,



Tom

 

[jgillott]

My early '01 has a 53. I'm not positive, but I believe that the first castings showed up sometime in the 1998 model year.



As for the second part of your question, yes there are some 53's out there running fine without a failure. However, you seem to be hearing of more and more cracks as time goes on. I'm not sure that I personally would take the chance on buying another. But, in the same line, I'm not going to run out and sell mine just to get rid of the block. In a way, it's like being in one of those catch 22 situations.

 

[ASimpson]

My 53 Block Has 160,000 Miles On It And Havent Seen A Crack Yet But It Could Show Up Any Time Im Guessing But Just Like Jgillott Im Not Gonna Sell The Truck Just Because It Has A 53 In It.

 

[COWBOYDUALLY]

i was told that there is a few late 01 running around with the 53, if i had one id runner till she broke, then find a short block, rebuild it and run it for another 250 thousand miles, buddy of mine has a 53 hes not really concerned with it..... jeremy

 

[RCenters]

my 01 has a 53 block with 247,000 + on it and iv had 150 inj FMS a big single and N20 ran through it , block is ok but pistons went south , shoot i just had it bored 20 over and getting ready to put more through it for a time i guess lol

 

[Aaron_A]

Just the other day I was working on a 98 3500 and it had the 53 block.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Yes they started showing up on '98 12-valves (because I believe they used the same block for 12 and 24v that year).



If I understand correctly about 1/3 of the 53 blocks are the inferior casting? Not all 53 blocks are bad castings.



EricBU12 just had his crack on him. I think his is a '01 HO if I recall correctly.



Vaughn

 

[EricBu12]

yes mine is the 53 and my crack was about 2" but I did a repair called "Lock-n-stitch" seems to have worked so far... just did it last week..... look a few pages down to see my repair post... .

 

[litespeed]

53 Block info.

Grab a cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy... ...



http://www.stamey.nu/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm



AJ