"53" crack repair cheap and permanent

[tractorface]

I have been researching the dreaded "53" repair just in case I become a victim. I came across some stuff we used in our shop years ago and thought I would call them and see if there product would work on our application.



Two local Belzona guys just left my office and I am confident that they can fix our block without the huge $$$$$. The product they sell is not "JB Weld", this is an industrial product not a homeowner repair product. Anyway I alerted them to our problem and gave them a link to our site. If anyone is interested Go to Belzona.com and check it out for yourself. A simple e-mail inquiry placed by me got two reps in my office today. They are confident that they can repair the block. All we need now is a volunteer! Anyway, it sounded like they wanted to try one out as proff that they can do it. I have the Local guys information if anyone needs it.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I have a spare shotblock on a stand they can practice on.



Mark

 

[WDaniels]

tractorface,

I have a belzona kit here at the house. It is several years old but still should be good. That stuff is AMAZING. Well worth the money. We used it out at the gold mine to fix engine block cracks, trommel motor case cracks and anything with a cast block that we couldn't be down for.

WD

 

[tractorface]

i gotta admit I have been pretty bummed about the whole 53 thing since I spent big $$ on the trans and VP this year. I went home for the first time in a While feeling good about my truck. I am now conident the 53 can be fixed without breaking the bank. The guy told me that they use it on blocks all the time, even said military vehicles carry a kit in Iraq with some of thier stuff on board for quick repairs. He did say it has to be used properly to be permenant.

 

[VicR]

Not that I have this problem, but could it also be used to fix a cracked timing chain case on a KDP-cracked 12v?



-Vic

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Thanks for your efforts.



Dan

 

[Smills]

They can practice the repair on my block it's nice and cracked.

 

[tractorface]

I really did not do anything but thanks anyway. From what I saw this stuff could be used for a lot of fixes. They told me how they can repair a block that has had a rod go through the side if all the pieces can be found \



The video showed the application process in great detail, it included a layered application and a patch along with the drilling etc. Looked like a nice Saturday project.



I asked why it was not sold over the counter and was told that they want to support every sale in order to make sure the product was used properly in order to ensure success. They do not want a bad name from failures do to wrong application etc. They also told me they have done some metal stiching as well. All I can say is it sounded really promising and I know I would go this route in a heartbeat. If you have a crack e-mail the and tell them about the exposure they would get from fixing a TDR members block The local MD guy I talked too would like the exposure. I think they have reps in different parts of the country.

Good luck

 

[fbaurley]

What years had #53 blocks. I didnt think a model year 2000 would have one.

 

[Smills]

I think I will email them and see if they can do it in the truck that would be awesome save alot of time and money.





Here is kinda of an estimate on 53 blocks and years.

Link

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118316&highlight=53+block

 

[justinp20012500]

Anyone having problems getting on their site??





Justin

 

[tractorface]

http://www.belzona.com/

 

[The patriot]

tractorface,

I have a belzona kit here at the house. It is several years old but still should be good. That stuff is AMAZING. Well worth the money. We used it out at the gold mine to fix engine block cracks, trommel motor case cracks and anything with a cast block that we couldn't be down for.

WD

If it's an epoxy based repair, it might have an expiration date.

The stuff we used to have at work did. It was useable after the date in most cases, but it's something to consider.

Eric

 

[CATCRACKER]

the whole 53 block thing is blown out of proportion if you have you a block crack trade the truck in no biggie i would not worry about it.

 

[tractorface]

Trade it in???

Are you nuts. :-laf Most guys who have 53's are probably paid off by now or close to it. Why would I want a new payment much less a whole new set of problems. Man I almost have my 99 straightened out and just the way I like it. The dealer ain't gettin mine now



If anything I would go backwards and improve my truck with a 12v install. I really don't like the idea of getting a new truck

 

[Smills]

How are you gonna trade it in if it's dripping antifreeze that kinda screws you on the trade in value ya think.

 

[CATCRACKER]

although not ethical there are ways to hide this i would not do it but it can be done... . i traded my 53 block

 

[fortunate1]

...for the "MacGyver" in us all

Interesting thread. I've been the Belzona rep for SE Virginia since '92. It really has been used to repair some amazing things - usually industrial things that would have ordinarily been scrapped/replaced at a much higher cost. My truck hasn't needed any such repairs yet, but my old S-10 had a lot: cracked intake manifold, stripped threads, pinholes/corrosion in gas tank, tire sidewall cut by angle iron on highway, etc. The "magic" is in the product AND the procedure. I've fixed quite a few cracked engine blocks, and the repair outlasted the rest of the truck and engine. A city dump truck, city ambulance (F-350 chassis PSD), and JLG lift to name a few. The dump truck retired 10 yrs afterwards, and the ambulance also retired from old age with the cracked block still holding fine. This is also a popular repair around here for folks that haul their boats out of the water for the winter, but forget to fully drain the block. A hard freeze = cracked block that's discovered next spring during the first cruise (full bilge). I would not hesitate to repair my engine block (if it were cracked) with Belzona and trust it for daily driving or a cross-country haul. If done properly, it's a repair that will last at least as long as a replacement. That's why it can be called a "permanent" repair.



JB weld and other metal-filled epoxies just don't have the high level of cured physical properties needed for approved use by the US Army, US Navy, Nuclear Power Plants, USCG, Carrier, Trane, Caterpillar, etc.

 

[tractorface]

Where have you been?

Why didn't you tell us before??? I am not the only one who was losing sleep until the Belzona discovery :-laf

 

[Holzarbeiter]

Folks,

I have purchased the Belzona kit, not cheap just to let you guys know. It has helped but not completly stopped the leak. I followed the instructions to the T and will follow up on the 2112 product repair with a 1111 and an additional layer of reinforcing tape. I will post again with results. I still think that the location of the crack is such that there is no permanent repair but I hope I can proof my own theory wrong.