Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cracked block

[johnboy Dixon]

Thanks everybody for all the input. I apologize to all you guys who have been out there crawling around in the snow and mud. But I think we have had a good discussion of the "53s".



Got mine back from the shop today with a new "56" in it. Gonna put it on the road tomorrow for a test drive-about 1200+ miles this long weekend.



Thanks Again, Johnboy.

 

[keimmmo]

All this talk about "53" blocks finally got to me. I crawled under the truck today to see if I could find out what block I have. I couldn't find ANY large numbers ANYWHERE! The only numbers I could find at all were about 1/2 inch tall. They are located on the driver's side near the front and bottom of the block. There is at least two short series of numbers... maybe more... they are mostly behind a big bundle of wires and hard to see. I have verified by the serial number that the truck was built in Saltillo, Mexico. I hope this means I have the good Mexican block!



Steve

 

[CRegal]

Steve I have the same markings, but my truck was made in the usa... ... .

 

[Hornball]

Ya i have two trucks around here a 2001. 5 and a 2002. Dads 02 had large easily readable 56 on it. Mine had no 53, thank god, but it did have the number that are kinda hard to read because of the wires. I am thinking these are the marks of a mexican block. These number are higher than the Brazilian number location.



P. S My truck was built in the usa. Dads was built in Mexico.

My $. 02.



Kevin

 

[Pit Bull]

You guys without the 53's all have Mexican blocks. It does not matter where the truck was built. My 2000 was built in St. Louis and had the Mexican block and my 2002 was built in Lago Mexico and has a 56 block.

 

[tom sweeney]

ALL cummins blocks are cast in south america... according to plant tour guy at CMEP ... . good luck!!!!!... tom

 

[tom sweeney]

... . i may be mistaken... lol... could it be i'm having a senior moment???

 

[tom sweeney]

... "a mind is a terrible thing to waste"... lol

 

[mediccummin]

just a note

Just a note

After reading this post any many more like it I decided to check mine also. I believe some people are looking at the wrong number in regards to the long, smaller, hard to read numbers and the location of the numbers. My block unfortunately has the dreaded 53, mine is stamped on both sides of the block directly across from each other towards the front. you must look from under the truck to see the 53. I also have a list of numbers i. e. 8141010 or something close to that, hard to read, these are just above and a little towards the rear of the 53, seen from under the truck and through the wheel well. I'm just curious if some that are seeing the list of numbers are not getting under and looking closer, as I did the first time I looked. I saw the list and figured I did not have the 53, but after a closer look there it was. So don't take this the wrong way but if see a list of numbers I would go underneath and look a little closer. Only speaking from experience.

OOps one more thing my build date was 5-00 in Mexico

 

[keimmmo]

I started looking from above and couldn't find ANY numbers. I looked through the wheel wells and didn't find a single number. I crawled underneath and looked all over. The ONLY numbers on the outside of the block that I can find is on the extreem lower front just above the pan on the driver's side. If there is a "53" anywhere on that block, I can't find it!!!



Steve

 

[TxDieselKid]

what happen to my post???



anybody ever hear of a TOHOL1 block? it's an '01. 5, and yes that is what it said, I pulled the loom off to see it better. I'm guessing it's Brazilian block because it has a plant name on it, unlike the Mexician ones.

 

[ProZack]

TxDieselKid, mine also has the TOHOL1. Where did you find the plant name,I didnt see that.

 

[TxDieselKid]

Thank goodness I'm not going crazy, and there IS someone else with this block.



I know the old saying about assuming, but it looks like the Brazilian blocks have plant names on them, and Mexican blocks don't, so it's a guess(assumption) like that. I didn't see a 53 or any other fifty series number though, so who knows.



Build date was 5-01, I'm betting yours was close?

 

[ProZack]

You win. April 01

 

[ProZack]

I didnt have any 50 anything either. Just a bunch of small numbers, thought I had a Mexican block. Now im not sure. Im soooo confused.

 

[Pit Bull]

1. Brazilian Blocks are cast by a company named "TUPY" and are marked such.

They are identified with cast evolution numbers.

#53's are TUPY's. #54 and later evolutions were improved to correct the block issues that the 53's had.

2. Mexican Blocks were made by "Teksid" these blocks to my knowledge never had a problem with cracking, as they are heavier duty by trait, but they did follow the evolutions and got thicker.

These blocks do not have the 2 digit "cast number" embossed on the side, instead a series of numbers that are unidentifiable to me.

The mexicans blocks were rumored to even be harder to machine do to a harder cast overall, basically better quality in my opinion.



Brazilian Tupys always seem to outnumber Mexican blocks during the ISB's production probably about 8 to 1.



So basically if there is a pattern number its brazilian, if there is a series of small numbers its mexican.



By the way the Mexican equivalent of a 56 pattern was the Heaviest ISB block of all.



I had a 2000 that had a Mexican block. I looked and looked for a pattern number and all I could find were the smaller series of numbers. When I bought my 2002 and checked the #56 inch high is very easy to see. If you don't see a #53,54,55,56 and only find a series of smaller around 1/2 numbers that are hard to makeout then you have a Mexican block.

 

[TxDieselKid]

Pit Bull, I saw your post, but it it leaves the question of these 2.

 

[ProZack]

No 50 anything numbers no antifreeze, so for now ill be confused but happy

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by TxDieselKid

Pit Bull, I saw your post, but it it leaves the question of these 2.

TxDieselKid, what are you saying? I don't understand your question

 

[mediccummin]

So Pit Bull

If I'm understanding you right a Brazil block has a 2 digit number such as 53, and a Taco block has a series of numbers. Then tell me what it means when you have a series of numbers on both sides of the block just behind the 53 that is on both sides of the block. I'm a little confused to this as I posted previously. I have both on both sides... ... Like I stated before I'm wondering if people are looking seeing the series and leaving it at that. Thats what I did originally until I climbed underneath and saw the 53 also. Thanks all for the info, I'm heading for the anti crack protest down town. Nuke'em til they glow... ... .

Build date 5-00 Mexico