Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Anyone with a 53 on the RIGHT side ever crack the block?

[Stamey]

I have heard of some blocks, and I have no idea how many it really is, that have a "53" on the right side of the block. Is there anyone out there that has had a block with a 53 on the right and it cracked?



I'm trying to gather info to improve my web page:

http://www.Stamey.Info/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm





Thanks,

Chris

 

[BTarbert]

I have the "53" on the right side, but no crack yet!

Edit: - I have "twin 53's" one on passenger side, one on drivers side.

 

[Alphacowboy]

are you talking as, standing in front of the vehicle, and its on the "right" side of the engine. Or if you were sitting in the cab looking forward its on the right side of the truck on the engine? The 53 would be on the "drivers side" of the engine.

 

[Ram666]

mine had a 53 under the oil filter housing it cracked at 90,000 miles. !!!!

 

[JJ Jackson]

I had a "53". It cracked at 130Kmi. Got it replaced by Cummins in Nov 2003, 50% deal with Ken Scobel. Not a lot of "cracked 53" owners still around, they're probably pretty disgusted with the whole thing and have moved on by now. BTW... Mine had a little 53 on the passenger side and a big 53 on the driver side. I guess I took two hits on the old "Crack Pipe". My new 56 has the same configuration.

 

[big barney]

At a local meeting last year a cummins tech told us that the blocks with 53 on the passenger side were more prone to crack. Every cracked block that he has seen had the 53 on the passenger side. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[Stamey]

are you talking as, standing in front of the vehicle, and its on the "right" side of the engine. Or if you were sitting in the cab looking forward its on the right side of the truck on the engine? The 53 would be on the "drivers side" of the engine.

The 53 on the "right" will be on the passenger side of the truck. I'm working on getting some pics of this "53" on the right side, so I can put them on my web site.



Thanks,

Chris

 

[JJ Jackson]

Stamey,how 'bout this: https://www.turbodieselregistry.com/forums/showthread.php?t=122065

 

[Jason_K]

I went outside today to look and I have a "55" Whew. Any info on to where this block was cast?

 

[CrazieAbe]

well after reading all this 53 block stuff, I figured I'd check mine. So tonight I decided I would do a little maint. oil analysis, grease, bla bla bla. Anyway, here is what I found: Front crank seal leak, vacuum pump seal leak, and I think I could have an oil leak where the injector pump mounts up, anyone here of this? Also, power steering leak where pitman arm mounts up. Oh yea, and while I was under there, guess what I found on the drivers side of the block... Ta da big ol' 53 on the side of the block. went to passenger side, no coolant leaking, no crack that I could see. Guess I wonder what to look for exactly. All this, and I don't even have my gauges on it yet. I got alot of work to do :{ Think I'll cross my fingers and let her ride, can't afford to replace her, all my money is tied up in goodies for the damn thing... all those leaks, and coolant is right where its sopposed to be, what are the odds??? :--)

 

[MHenry]

I have a 2001 3500 Ho cummins with 98882 miles. I was smelling anti-freeze everytime I stopped the engine after returning from work. I also noticed, I was adding anti-freeze but wasn't able to locate the leak. Took the truck to Dealer who told me my block was cracked, and that he had ordered me another engine. I ask who was paying for that? he said they were. I checked TDR and found out about the 53 block. Sure enough I checked the information, and their is was, the 53. I'll keep you posted

 

[Stamey]

I have a 2001 3500 Ho cummins with 98882 miles. I was smelling anti-freeze everytime I stopped the engine after returning from work. I also noticed, I was adding anti-freeze but wasn't able to locate the leak. Took the truck to Dealer who told me my block was cracked, and that he had ordered me another engine. I ask who was paying for that? he said they were. I checked TDR and found out about the 53 block. Sure enough I checked the information, and their is was, the 53. I'll keep you posted

It's great that they are going to pick up the tab!!

It is my understanding that a dealer will replace with a short block if they do the repair. Make sure they don't put another 53 block in there. It is also my understanding that there are actually remanufactured short/long blocks out there that have a 53 block. I have even heard of the block having the "53" ground off of it at some point in the process. (I know a man both have happened to) I do not know if this was intentional by the remanufacturer, or it slipped through due to someone else grinding it off before it was remanned.



Also, if you can get a look at what they take out, and get some pics, please take pics of the block from any angle you can, and both sides if there is a "53" on the right. Mine did not have a "53" on the right side. I got several of mine when I went throught this experience, but wish I had more.



Thanks,

Chris