Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) #53 questions one more time

[maint.man]

Two things that I can't figure out , The Brazilian blocks are supposed to be the numbered ones (53,54,etc) but the wiring harness on the block , says assembled in Mexico ? Doe's that mean something ? nothing? Also the main thing that I want to know is why do most of the blocks have the 53' on both sides , while mine only has it on the left side ? Engine build date is 1/13/99 .

Any help would be appreciated .

Thanks ,

Brent

 

[klaybus]

Mexico

Most were assembled in Mexico & mine has a 53 on the drivers side... Not sure if it's on the passenger side or not. If it's on the drivers side I figure it's Brazilian period! Who really cares... . 53, 54... .

Driving it like I stole it & absolutely loving it!



Clay

 

[jwilliams3]

If the wiring harness says assembled in Mexico, then the wiring harness is probably manufactured in Mexico.

Parts for Cummins engines come from all over the world.



Your engine was assembled in Columbus, Indiana.



--Justin

 

[Breck]

I believe most automotive wiring harnesses for the big 3 are made in Mexico: Cheap workers?



V/R



Breck

 

[maint.man]

Thanks for the replies , just wondered if there was a difference in blocks.

Brent

 

[Ncostello]

My truck was assembled in Mexico, that much I know. But my block does not have 53, 54 or any kind of fifty number anywhere on it. I only find the serial number castings and some various small numbers, but no 5's or 3's in those. I've been all over it, up and down for various reasons and I have even looked behind harnesses etc. Nothing! Maybe I have the mystery block .

 

[Rammin]

Ncostello



I have a 99 Q/B 4/4 build date 8/98 Mexico



I'm with you on this 53 ,54 block No. cant find any thing guess I have a mystery block like yours.

 

[C. Harlan]

Where abouts on the block with the 53 stamp be located?

Is it in the serial #????? someone chime in and help!



-Chris-

 

[TPCDrafting]

I took this laying on the floor, in front of the left front tire, looking at the lleft side of the block. You can see the front of the oil pan under the number, this is towards the front of the motor. I had a pretty bad oil leak back then, so everything is coated.



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As you can see, the numbers are alone and are about 1" tall, and yes, this is a 12 valve. Truck assembled in 11/97, not sure on the motor.

 

[C. Harlan]

I think I saw a "6" stamped on mine?? Sound right???

 

[JR2]

I have looked all over my block for a number and I have never found one. Just the other day while changing the oil and doing an overall inspection of the underside of the truck I looked again and still no number. I guess I have the mystery block also. I wonder what cummins could tell us with the SN from the engine. I know I have a printout in the truck that the cummins parts guy gave me onece. It listed the engine sn, the date of the order for the motor, the date the motor was build, the cpl and a couple of other things, but he cut this section out of a big printout. Maybe I will have to ask next time I am in the cummins shop about it.

 

[Ncostello]

JR2... the last time I was seeking info in a thread like this I too posted I had no markings so to speak that resembled 53, 54, 56 etc. I was told that the blocks with no markings were Mexican built Cummins blocks at one of their plants down there. And furthermore... it was stated that ours are actually very good blocks with all the improvements and no history of failures.



Thats what I remember for what its worth. I quit worrying when I read it and haven't looked back since. Hopefully it was fully true.

 

[rashwor]

S/N

If your engine serial number on the engine data plate starts with "53", then you have a 53 block. My serial number starts with 53 and I have the 53 stamped on the side of the block.

 

[jwilliams3]

Rashwor,

Your incorrect.

 

[TPCDrafting]

I agree, my engine number starts with 56, but clearly I have the 53. As stated, no need to worry, I'm gonna drive it like I intended to and if it breaks, oh well.

 

[dmistal]

My engine # also started with a "56". There is a Family # and a Ref. # also. My Ref. # does start with a "53", and it is. As of today, I'll not be a member of the "53 Club" any longer. Dave.

 

[Lordsman]

found some #'s

I looked mine over. I found some ectched #'s on the block above the oil filter housing and below the exhaust manifold closest to front end is: 56585154

Could this be what we are looking for??

Other than that no #'s stamped anywhere exept under the wire harness mounted on the block below the power steering reservoir, but nothing there with 50's #'s.

 

[Vaman]

I went through this a while ago with Cummins... and lost a lot of respect for them. They REFUSED to put anything in writing. In fact, they put in writing that they wouldn't put anything in writing... how's that for customer support? They said they would discuss it over the phone but wouldn't put anything on paper. I kept bugging them and eventually received a very lame response. A fellow TDR member (who had a cracked block) obtained some Cummins internal documents in which they acknowledged the problem (with drawings of the weak block areas). If any member has his "53" crack and is having issues getting it replaced, contact me and I'll forward the documentation (names blacked out to protect the innocent).