Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) another block "53" bits the dusts

[Jason Griebel]

Just last week I discovered my block 53 cracked #@$%! I'm thinking about replacing my block. What is the best one to get and where can you get it. I have many other mods and don't want to get rid of the truck. Thanks

 

[Cummins724]

Just place a wanted ad in the classifieds here on TDR... . should find something.

 

[WestTN]

I've never heard of a bad block other than the #53.

 

[MHagen]

I called a local salvage yard and bought a 2000 55block. Oddly enough if you ask for a 99 motor it will cost you $500 to $1000 more... to get another 53 block they had no idea what a 53 or 55 block were. I paid $1700 for my 55 with a little over 100K on it.



Mike

 

[EricBu12]

I feel your pain! . . I replaced my block with a mexican block of the same year as mine... I had it bored out as it was scratched up. . Hope everything works out

 

[VicR]

How many miles? Talk to Cummins and they might step in and give you a hand with it - I think only if its under 150k miles though.



Good luck,



-Vic

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I've never heard of a bad block other than the #53.

Diesel Freak busted the 55 block on his '01 HO

NW Bombers Need an Engine Block!

 

[DavidC]

Diesel Freak busted the 55 block on his '01 HO



NW Bombers Need an Engine Block!

What are the symptoms, same crack ?. Fill in the details please.



Dave

 

[Jason Griebel]

I talked to cummins and they said that dodge bought the rights to this motor and you have to go to dodge for any warranty. Then if you did any mods to your truck dodge don't want to talk to you. So you're just screwed.

 

[DavidC]

I talked to cummins and they said that dodge bought the rights to this motor and you have to go to dodge for any warranty. Then if you did any mods to your truck dodge don't want to talk to you. So you're just screwed.

I know that feeling. They use dry sand instead of ky jelly.



Dave

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

What are the symptoms, same crack ?. Fill in the details please.



Dave

Yes, coolant leaking from a crack in the usual place. The power was turned up pretty good on Cliff's truck from early on, had about 210,000 miles with a few rounds of heavy towing.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

The link won't work for me.



I remember someone on here cracking a 55 block a couple of years ago.



Dan

 

[Cliffman]

Yep, I have a 53 block that cracked at about 160k. First crack was 3" long. I used "Lock-n-Stitch" to fix it. It worked perfectly until it cracked again, and again... now my block is cracked from end to end and I have it all stitched but still leaking. New block is in the garage awaiting my attention. :{:{:{

 

[ccutrell]

I talked to cummins and they said that dodge bought the rights to this motor and you have to go to dodge for any warranty. Then if you did any mods to your truck dodge don't want to talk to you. So you're just screwed.

I had my 99 with 126,000 done by Cummins they paid for parts and i paid the labor... . Cost me about $2500-3000... that had been a few years ago. Dodge was the one that told me i was screwed and Cummins was very helpful... the work was done by cummins southern plains in houston.



So I think you are talkin to the wrong person at Cummins. . I know i am not the only one that has got help form Cummins

And I had an edge on it which i took off before going in, but i did have an AFE filter, ATS manifold, pryo, boost, south bend clutch, boost fooler elbow in turbo when I took it in...



They replaced block, rings, and bearings.



And the truck is still on the road by the local farmer who bought it 2years ago

 

[jhoughton]

I also have a 99 with 77K and cummins agreed to pay all parts and I the labor. Their labor est was around $4. 5k so I will do it myself. I have a 2-2. 5" crack and it is leaking quite a bit. I bought a new block off of e bay for 1/2 the cummins price including shipping. Also right now there is an 01 block on there with about 4 hours left. It is not a 53 block but it does have miles on it. However it is currently at $220. I used freight quote and had mine shipped to me for $150. Most of the other parts are also available on e bay, you may just have to wait for them to show. Good luck! Jim

 

[Jason Griebel]

If I fought with cummins long enough I might get parts but if I'm going to put that much money into it. Why not get one built with more power and better than stock parts. I'm currently working with tripleDperformance on a custom built motor. Thanks for all the advise.



I saw that a block 55 cracked boy I hope that isn't very common!!!

 

[CSnyder]

Jason, dont let them rouse you on the 55 blocks cracking... . they are very few and far between there and consisted of mostly 99 and 2000 blocks. You will be getting an 01 block on your build. Many thanks from Jim and I!

 

[Cliffman]

Why not get one built with more power and better than stock parts. I'm currently working with tripleDperformance on a custom built motor.

Jason,



Tell us about your custom build motor. Details man, we need details Oo.

 

[Jason Griebel]

Well we aren't getting to carried away 3rd gen pistions, fire ring, street cam, fluid dampener, new bearings, oil pump, new clipped water pump, injectors, head studs

 

[Cliffman]

Well we aren't getting to carried away 3rd gen pistions, fire ring, street cam, fluid dampener, new bearings, oil pump, new clipped water pump, injectors, head studs

So what's your target horsepower?