Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Help swapping out a 53 block

[jwernert]

My brother has a 99 with a cracked 53 block . Motor runs fine, just leaks like a sieve when warmed up. We have found a 2001 bear block for a good price. Is there any reason we couldn't take all of the internal parts from his 1999 motor and put into the 2001 block? Is there any special tools or words of advice to do this? Where can we get a rebuild manual for the cummins? We haven't purchased the 01 block yet, but we're going to unless we are told differently. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Tcolesanti]

The blocks should be identical, but make sure it is not a "53" block as well. I would recommend going to Cummins for the books.

 

[bodacious]

Have you call cummins? They may share cost to repair since this a know defect. They have help others in the past, it wouldn't cost anything to try.

 

[AKAMAC]

http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114298



Try your local Cummins Dealer; The above thread shows that they are aware of the defect and willing to help out.

You will be better off going through Cummins as they will replace worn parts during the exchange.

 

[jwernert]

The truck was bought used and it now has 190k on it. Dodge wanted $9,000. to fix it and the local cummins shop says they want $6,000 for a new short block. We have a friend that works at the cummins shop and he said it has too many miles. That's why we're talking about doing it ourselves. Even $6,000 seems outrageous to me the block new from cummins is $600.

 

[massdiesel]

Hey give me a call here at the shop their is a few differences that will matter 508 660 7093

 

[JKuehl78]

Mine had 123,000 or so on it and Cummins split it with me 50/50. Dodge won't touch it because the warranty period they are responsible for is over. They way I understasnd it is that Dodge buys the motor from Cummins with no warranty and Dodge provides the warranty service on their own. So in actuallity Cummins has no ties to our motors but helps out with the repair in this case to sort of save face and keep a good reputation. Besides this is no fault of Dodge; it's a Mfg. defect.



Try calling Cummins, they helped me out.

 

[jwernert]

Is there a cummins number that people have had good luck with. The local shop I'm sure is trained to play hardball and hope that we would go away.

 

[jwernert]

I just called 1-800-diesels and the guy I talked to went off of the phone and then came back and gave me the speech about how they sold the motor to dodge at a discount and that I should try to go through dodge. I'm kind of stuck with out raising 10 kinds of HE** and I'm not sure how to go about that since we are not the original owner. I'm sure the block was cracked when my brother bought the truck, but how do you prove that to put it back on the dealer it was bought from. It took a while to even find the leak because there is not leak sitting in the drive way.

 

[JKuehl78]

You are just west of me, I'm in Louisville. I went to Cummins Cumberland and they were real good to work with. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post phone numbers or not so here is the link to their site. The number is right there. If the link doesn't work I'll be PMing you the number.



I hope this helps,

Jeff



http://www.cumberland.cummins.com/na/pages/en/distributors/louisville/locations/louisville_ky.cfmca

 

[bodacious]

The phone number I have is for Ken Scobel at cummins plant is 812-377-7365.