Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) block 53

[JessePayne]

I recently purchased my 01 ram cummins and thought I had a good idea of the inherent problems until I read the block 53 issue. I about crapped my pants and as soon as I got home I crawled under her and looked for the dreaded "53" stamp on the engine block. Instead it has a series of small numbers and letters and a "B" stamped where the "53" is on some of them. The block was made in mexico not brazil. From what I have read on a link from this website the mexican blocks pose no leaking threat. Anybody know anything else about this. I just feel lucky.

 

[Signal73]

Unless there is a 1" or so 53 stamped on the block above the oil pan to the front of the engine on the driver side your in the clear. A series of small #'s in that area usually means your in the clear. You may have to move a wiring harness out of the way to see it, it wont be mistaken. There have been reports of the 53 being stamped on the passenger side also but that seems pretty rare.

 

[AKDrifter]

I have one of those 53 blocks with numbers on both sides, the finish on the entire block is smooth as can be.



Only mentioning this because I've heard that the smooth ones don't have the failure rate as much as the others. Or at least this is what I dream about.



Proud 53 owner, but if it craps out I wan't a taco block in it's place.



Paul

 

[JessePayne]

yeah had my flashlight out at midnight last night unbolted the wiring harness and no sign of a "53" only a bunch of small numbers and letters. Dodge should have stepped up to the plate no questions asked for the 53.

 

[SHobbs]

I found the #53 on the passenger side as well right behind the oil filter.

 

[David_VT]

I am still too chicken to look under the hood of my 99. . 137K miles and no surprise antifreeze consumption other than having my line pop off the espar some years ago... I will have to look this spring when I wash the winter off the truck... .



The truck was built in Mexico so maybe I will be lucky and have a mexican block in this case...

 

[One Old Dog]

I have a 53 block and I have 190,000. miles on it all is looking ok I am running 384/844 from the time it had 2000 miles on it if it crackes it crackes. Not going to worry about it. I just drive. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Regcabguy]

53 cracked@17,500 miles

Here's an interesting question: Mine cracked @17,500 miles. Can anybody beat that? What a distinction! 2nd 53 and prayin'.

 

[obert]

I know I saw a list somewhere, but anyone know where the 54 block was made?



brazil same as 53??