Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Another LocknStitched 53!

[jgallentine]

At 109,XXX miles the curse of the 53 bit. My block developed a 5" crack in the usual place. I had it stitched up by a super nice guy in Chillicothe Missouri yesterday. This looks like a great fix and others have had success with it. After coming extremely close to taking the beating of a lifetime trading the 99 in on a new truck, I am really glad I found this guy and a fix for less than $1,000.



Thanks to member BHazelrigg for pointing me to this machinist!! Membership in TDR mays off again in a big way. Oo.



Jeff

 

[Got Smoke?]

Always been curious HOW DOES THIS WORK?



I mean there is no welding involved, so what machining is envolved to repair the crack?

 

[jgallentine]

It's a fairly simple weld-free process but one that is hard to describe. Check out the "Repair Examples" at http://www.locknstitch.com, they even have a kit for the 53 Cummins block. Seems kind of odd to me that they have built a kit just for this application yet Dodge and Cummins say there is no problem.



Jeff

 

[VicR]

So where to the shavings from drilling go? Also, how does it stop from cracking on either side of the repair?



Thanks,



-Vic

 

[jgallentine]

Some shavings are going to end up in the cooling system for sure since the crack is in the water jacket. However, no shavings get in the oil for the same reason. I just had them do a a power flush on the cooling system when they were done, not perfect but short of a real expensive repair, what's a guy to do.



As for cracking at the end of the repair, I guess time will tell. An extra pin is put in past each end of the existing crack to be sure that crack doesn't continue but there certainly appears to be a manufacturing flaw in the block so it could crack elsewhere. The machinist says if it does, just bring it back and he can fix that crack as well. I can pay for several of these repairs and still be money ahead as compared to changing out the block.



Jeff

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Dodge and Cummins say there is no problem.

Actually, Cummins has had a bulletin out on the thin (53) block since sometime in late 2000. I think I got a copy of it somewhere here...

 

[jgallentine]

Evan,



I'd like a copy of the bulletin if you find it. It would be nice to see something where they acknowledge a defect.



Jeff

 

[Evan A. Beck]

I think its at the shop, I will see if I can dig it up tomorrow. It's pretty cool, has some diagrams and whatnot, explaining the increase in wall thickness from 5. 5mm to 11mm.

 

[Herman8r]

Do all "53" blocks have the same problem? I have the "53"--just checked. 1999.



Herman

 

[jgallentine]

Herman,



I you want to, do a search on cracked 53 blocks and you will find volumes of reading material. You will also see people with 53 blocks that have experienced the problem around 50,000 miles and others with 200,000 plus miles on their 53 blocks that have not experienced the problem.



I have heard and read different theories on the cause but I really don't know why some crack while others do not. It does seem that modifications and heavy towing are more common with those that experience the crack, but then again those characteristics are more common of the TDR membership. It just seems like luck of the draw to me. As of this time, I have not heard of any blocks other than the 53s cracking.



I am by no means an expert on the subject, just someone who has read a lot about it because I drew the crack.



Jeff

 

[Herman8r]

Jeff Thanks for the info. I do a fair amount of towing with my truck. I don't abuse it. No cracks so far. Did the repair take a long time? I have welded cracked cast iron on heavy equipment in the past--sometimes it held & sometimes not. But I always terminated the crack by drilling a hole at each end. Anyways--I don't think I will be welding any Cummins blocks!



Herman

 

[jgallentine]

Herman,



The truck was in and out in a day. The machinist went a full pin past each end of the crack. I have only talked to one other person who has done this and his has been trouble free since February.



I like to think I don't abuse my truck either. When loaded, I weigh in at about 18,000 pounds and run 70 to 75 on the intersate. No stump pulling and no off-roading.



Jeff

 

[2-ND TIME]

53 blocks

well I told cumins in 00 that mine was leaking internally and coming out the exhaust pipe.

They asked me how much I was loosing

I said that about 3 liters in 3 months and they said

That wasn't much.