Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 99 24V 3/4 4x4

[Jason707]

Hello all I am new here. I just purchased my dream truck a 99 Ram 4x4 3/4 ton ext cab with 24v cummins. I have wanted this truck forever and when i came across this deal i couldnt pass it up. Unfortunatly all i new about was the cummins great reputation and nothing about the faulty casting from 98. 5 till 01. Honestly i cant really afford to do the lock n stich wich i have read mixed reviews on. And i cant really afford to replace the motor either. Not only that it sucks to replace a motor that runs great as well. I have located a motor it is out of my price range but it brought a good question to mind. It is out of an 02 Ram. Is there any differance in motor mounts or anything that would keep it from being a straight change? Also any help would be greatly appreciated. Kinda in a sling at the moment. Conned the wife into letting me get this truck cause i told her it cant be anything major its a cummins they run forever with no problems and they are taken care of. Please help. Thanks

 

[HBarlow]

I'm not sure I understand your post. Does your '99 Ram have a 53 block? Has it cracked and is it leaking?

Not all early 24 valves were built on 53 blocks and there is no need to replace a 53 block unless it is cracked and leaking.

I believe an '02 is a direct bolt-in replacement for a '99 if you need one but beware of buying an engine that is not in the original truck and running. There is usually a good reason why an engine has been removed from the original truck. It could have 1,000,000 miles on it and be worn out, could have been modified and trashed, etc.

 

[Jason707]

Sorry yes my truck does have the 53 block and yes its cracked and yes it is leaking. The engine im looking at is in a truck that was t boned and broke the frame. Engine has 80k on it. Im not looking forward to having to do this. Are there any fixes out there other then the lock n stitch? I tried this stuff called K seal and it actually apeared to of made a differance but not a permenate fix.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Sorry to hear about your "good deal" that's now gone south.

Only thing you can do is lock-n-stitch for it to be fixed, but if you research enough on here, you'll find that even a "fixed" lock-n-stitch engine could leak/crack again.

Your best bet is to do two things:

Buy this engine from the t-boned truck or dump your good deal on someone else.

Good luck either way.

 

[Jason707]

Damn i was affraid that was going to be the responce that i got. I really dont want to have the bad carma of unloading this on someone else. But at the same note i dont exactly have the funds to replace the block at this point either. Guess I have to make a dessesion before my wife kills me. .

 

[HBarlow]

A Cummins 24 valve with only 80k still in the wrecked truck is probably an excellent engine if priced right. Engine replacement requires a very strong hoist but is just ordinary mechanic work that shouldn't be too expensive in an honest private shop.

You're likely to have a hard time selling a truck with a cracked and leaking engine block and it would simply not be the right thing to do.