Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Block "53"

[Diesel Dick]

Just finished reading my new issue of TDR. Read the article on the crack problem with block "53". well just like everybody with 98. 5, I ran out look up and there it was "53". So not to worried as I have not "enhanced" the power, I don't pull anything, and drive with a lite foot, for the mileage.

So just to give me a warm fuzzy feeling, can anybody out there answer the following:

1. How many "53" blocks were produced?

2. How many have cracked?

3. Of thoses that have failed how many were "enhanced"?

4. What was the average mileage on the odometer at failure?

5. Is the crack in the water jacket only, or does it go stright through to the cylinder?

The article also mentions that Cummins is aware of the problem. Have they made any public or other wise, comment on the issue?

I now have 151K on the odometer, with out a lick of trouble, with the engine. Just one lift pump at 135K. Not bad.

I truly love my 5. 9 Turbo Diesel and will not trade it because of this issue. I intend to put a least 500K on it before I ever think of any change.

Well thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

 

[rspinks]

I wouldn't worry, from what I understand there are very few failures in Ram trucks (more in bus applications), it cracks into the water jacket and is repairable. I would also like to know the production numbers, somebody on here must know.

 

[SRadke]

I fought a cracked block in a friends truck a few years back that matched the description in the article exactly. This was a 95 dually that he pulled very hard. The article didn't suggest the problem existed that early but he definitly had one like it. Too bad he traded it off so I can't check the casting number, it has me really curious.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Not all 98. 5's have the 53 block. Mine doesn't for example - it's a June build 98 built in St. Louis.

 

[BFC]

Originally posted by Steve St. Laurent

Not all 98. 5's have the 53 block. Mine doesn't for example - it's a June build 98 built in St. Louis.

Yeah yeah yeah, rub it in... .....

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Time to come out?

There was a thread on this very subject a while back which was polling for (closet/non-closet) members of the "53 club". You may find the information you're looking for embedded there. Sorry don't have the TDR weblink details to hand though. BTW, I'm a member too!!

 

[Diesel&Donuts]

I would think that the "53 Block" is still better/thicker than the GM or Ford Blocks.



Harold G

 

[pro99]

53 block

I checked mine and I don’t have a 53 block but if I did I wouldn’t loose sleep over it…. . I work as a heavy mechanic at a dodge dlr and yet to se one come in with this concern and yes we do have modified ones too!!!! We need to look at how many is made per how many is cracking. Some will have concerns and some will not it’s just luck of the draw. Take a poll on how many cracked 53 blocks verses how many was made and you will see that it is nothing like a 1 out 5 or 1 out of 100 are cracking… it does happen but don’t loose sleep over it till it happens….

 

[MCummings]

Oh yah, Darn, I have a #53 block too. Lets have a party.



Ain't Skeered.



When it cracks,, it's just time for some more ponies



400+ HP for the last 20,000 miles, and it's been fine.



Do me a favor,, worry about your lift pump more than the block, you can replace a lift pump in an hour, but the block,, well, when she blows, she blows, no preventing it, but you CAN fix it. I heard a story from a PSD mechanic who would fix blocks by drilling the ends of the cracks, and welding+Screwing a metal plate to the block, it would fix the crack, and was cheaper than a short block.



My $. 02

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by MCummings

When she blows, she blows, no preventing it, but you CAN fix it. I heard a story from a PSD mechanic who would fix blocks by drilling the ends of the cracks, and welding+Screwing a metal plate to the block, it would fix the crack, and was cheaper than a short block.

There are a number of industrial casting repair firms who can metal-lock a crack through the water jacket with no problem whatsoever. They mill tapered dog-bone-shaped slots across the crack in close proximity to each other, then insert steel dog-bone pins into the slots. The pins are then peened flush with the block surface and overlap each other. When completed correctly, the fix is probably stronger than the original block section, it's watertight and once the block is painted, it's almost undetectable.



I've seen Reynolds French stitch a patch in the side of an integral engine-compressor base to fix a connecting rod-induced hole that a man could walk through. The guys that really know how to do this are artists!



Rusty

 

[TPCDrafting]

53 blocks exist in 12 valvers too!

Don't believe me, check my readers rigs.



I'm not too concearned either. I won't be taking it to 400 hp unless bombitis gets the best of me. The heaviest I pull is my 4 horse rated at 12k fully loaded.

 

[hammersley]

Problem locating the block #

Ok I tried to find the number today. As I understand it - one looks under the VP 44 and it's above the pan gasket on the block? I'm telling you boys - if that'w where she's at - one needs to be a FLY to get to where you can see the number! What am I doing wrong in trying to see this number -any photo's???

 

[illflem]

Originally posted by tpcdrafting

53 blocks exist in 12 valvers too!

As far as I've been able to determine talking with my Cummins tech friends is the 53 block was only used in 12 valves the year it was supposed to be a 24 valve but wasn't ready - 1998

 

[TPCDrafting]

ah the one possible down side to a '98 12 valver.



Hammersley, check the front left side of the block, at the bottom just above the oil pan seal. You can look at my readers rigs pics and get a good idea. You might have to wipe things off a bit if you have any buildup as the numbers don't portrude much. The numbers on mine are about 1" tall and hard to miss. Likely you don't have a 53. Even if you do, no reason to panic.

 

[klaybus]

53 Block

Bill,

I have a 10\99 production date CTD & I have the "53" block. I was concerned but now I figure what the hell... ..... I can't change it so I'll hope for the best & drive it like I stole it!



Clay

 

[SteveE]

Block 53

Found the numbers on mine.

 

[Pit Bull]

This thread has the most information on the 53 blocks, it's a long one. Hope this helps.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66346&highlight=cracked+block

 

[krs]

SteveE,



Though I wish you could have taken that picture of some anonymous truck on a lot somewhere instead of it being your own, thanks for posting it. I'd never seen it and now am sure that I don't have one. That thing is hard to miss.