Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 53 cracked block options

[AMeissner]

I have a 99 CTD in 3500 with a cracked block. I have pulled the engine out and had it professionaly welded, that held about 2 weeks, and it is cracked again in the same place. What are my options? The truck is out of factory warranty, but i heard that going direct to cummins may help. Any one have any experience to help me out, or am i just ed?

 

[klaybus]

53 Block

Damn! Sorry to hear that. I've heard of some that use some form of epoxy. I've also heard that you need to drill holes at each end of the crack, tap the hole & screw a bolt in and then weld. Supposedly it stops the crack from continuing.

I have also read posts where some have had some luck with Cummins helping to foot the bill. The last post I read on a cracked 53 block if memory serves me correctly the fellow still spent about $4000 out of pocket!

Good luck and please keep us informed ..... I also have a 53 block.



Clay

 

[CFast]

Where's the crack? I've seen blocks cracked with a method called lock and stitch. These are big over the road diesels, 12. 7L detroits. The rods broke and cracked the block at the bottom of the block 6" long. Took the guy 4 hours to fix it. It's pretty cool. They back it 100%. See if someone in your area can do that. What's a 53 block anyway? As far as Cummins helping you, good luck. Their customer service is taking a dive, REAL picky on what they'll help pay for. We had an M11 throw a rod and destroy the block, they sent us a block and a rod, that was under their warranty! I love the ISB's but Cummins service.

 

[JFinke]

Now that it has been welded and cracked again I don't think you will have much luck fixing it. The method talked about as lock and stitch is where you start at one end of the crack and drill a tappered hole. It is threaded for a tappered plug. The next hole will remove about 1/3rd of the first locking it in place. This is continued until the crack is gone. I don't think it would be a good way of fixing the block as they are cracking due to twisting, not heat or freezing. Where it's been welded and cracked again it probably has been crystalized and will continue to crack. Was it pre and post heated when it was welded?

 

[csutton7]

the 53 block as it's known comes from the # 53 casting on the block below the VP44--there have been some that have cracked--chris

 

[RustyJC]

Here's the "big boy" method of casting crack repair used on large industrial engines. It could certainly be used on a "53" block as well.



Casting Repair



Rusty

 

[tleclair]

Good luck. Mine cracked also just over 100,000. I tried several things to fix it and none of them helped. Ended up getting a remanufactured motor from the Cummins dealer in my area. Total bill ended up a little over 10 grand.