Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How do find out if you have the 53 block?

[Motorhead]

I have read alot about the #53 block. What years did it show its UGLY little head? Where do you find the block number? My truck is a 2001. 5, U. S. built and I bought it in Sept. 2000 new. Thanks, Chris

 

[SHobbs]

I have found the number in two places. One is just below the VP44 above the oil pan on the block, you can see it underneath the truck looking up towards the VP44. I found it again when I was changing the oil, it was just behind the oil filter below the oil cooler. I think the 53 is in the 00-02, not all 02 have them though. I am sure someone is more correct on the year models and will chime in.

 

[foolkiller]

try not to worry about it dude. bajabob is a member here and spoke to a long time veteran dodge cummins tech about this issue. word was, he's only seen three of these blocks crack. plus it'll drive you crazy worrying about it when it aint even broke. just stay up on your regular maintenance and keep an eye on the temp gauge when pulling heavy.



take care, jeff



ps... . bajabob's 53 block did crack..... too funny. pm him about it. he's a good dude.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I think it's more of a 98-01 problem, being a later 2001 your truck should be safe but you could check to be sure. My 01 is not a 53, not all trucks during those years were 53 blocks. Some had them some didn't.

 

[EricBu12]

My #'s was just under the oil filter... BIG #'s stares you in the face... Mine didn't crack till I got it pretty hot in monument valley while towing...



It is my opinion on my crack that it is more suseptible when you have high HP and tow heavy getting the engine high stress. If you look at my other thread on my block replacement, there is a pic of the cross-section of the thin area... you can imagine that if you don't tow heavy but have high hp, you MAY or may not crack... but it is more due to high stress... . Say you only drive to work and back and occ. drag race, you might not ever crack.



so Judge what you have, what you want to do, and decide if you might want to get a new truck before this cracks... . I spent a total of $7000 to get another block, have it machined, have someone do the labor, and such... and it took a month...



The total I said above included a new water pump, new $600 clutch, and other incidentals.

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks Guys!! I will give mine a look. By my signature below, you can see that I am not running real high HP.

 

[DavidC]

Believe me, it does not take horsepower to crack. Mine did it at 53k and a fueling box set on 3*3.



Dave

 

[jwilliams3]

Where the truck was made has no bearing on which engine block is in your truck.

FYI.

 

[EricBu12]

Correct... just the casting of the block



al 53, 54,54,56 castings are in Brazil...



All Blocks with small numbers just under the VP44 are cast in Mexico... . supposedly they are stronger blocks... .



Dave, you do have High HP... higher than stock... . do you make like 300-350 hp? Then that is enough to do it... ... I have 380 hp with and edge EZ, and a fueling box which I hardly use. other than that, I have 1 step up injectors... I NOW have a hybrid turbo but it cracked before that...



Look at this pic and tell me if you think this is thin enough for slightly higher than stock HP is enough to crack this.



#ad




That smaller white spot with 2 smaller dents. . at the curve, is from a grind mark but see how thin it is there?... that is Barely a 1/4" thick at it's thinnest... . and the lower area where the bigger white spot is, ... is 3/8" thick... . the Upper ledge is 1/2" thick...



This is the Souvenier I had ground out of the block... Nice paper weight But you see the Lock-n-stitch pins I did... I also just now measured the end of the piece for the numbers above... See that split at the right end? That was from a grinder and was on it fro like 10 seconds to break through.



#ad




If you don't have a crack now and have a 53 block from 99-01... , do NOT add hp or stress the engine hard... a crack will happen then. This cost me $7000 in labor and parts including a new clutch... . which was needed so went ahead. . Your repair might be less... . like $4-5,000... . A shortblock from cummins runs pretty expensive and it takes time to get it..... I was told a full exchange engine is like $10,500...



So, if you are a hot-rodder or tow and have the older 53... I'd sugg. trading now before the new 07 emission trucks come.

 

[DavidC]

There were a lot of school busses years back that had 53 blocks that cracked and Cummins replaced, I think it is more the idea that the engine was being used as it was intended (working) when the crack occurred. Mine came as a 215 hp so I do not really call 250-275 hp high. Although my days were 426 hemi's, 427 Chevelles,Nova's and Corvettes



Dave

 

[BruceS]

Got this generic response from cummins. Product support? This truck is going away.



Summary: 66385 53 block

>

> Solution:

> Thanks for your Email message.

>

> Cummins data indicates that failures of the #53 cylinder block in ISB

engines, are infrequent and only affect a small percentage of engines built.

>

> However, we understand the frustrations with this issue and the downtime

it causes for Cummins customers. The first thing that needs to happen, if a

cracked block is suspected, is to get the nearest Cummins distributor in the

area involved to determine Cummins involvement.

>

> Cummins engine warranty is handled by Cummins authorized warranty service

providers. With the engine serial number, they can access Cummins database

and determine the warranty coverage status on most all Cummins engines.

Cummins authorized distributors and dealers administer Cummins warranty

guidelines.

>

> The warranty start date is determined by the date of sale to the first

end-user. Subsequent owners assume the remaining coverage on the engine,

from the original warranty start date. Cummins distributors will base

warranty decisions on first, second or third vehicle owners.

>

> Cummins designs and supplies the Cummins 6B5. 9 and ISB 24-Valve turbo

diesel engines to DaimlerChrysler, however, DaimlerChrysler warrants the

diesel engine and truck completely, as a package unit. Cummins, Inc. and

authorized Service Providers cannot provide warranty coverage on Dodge Ram

trucks powered with Cummins diesel engines, since all warranties are handled

by the Dodge dealers.

>

> For assistance with Dodge Ram truck issues, Dodge requires a Vehicle

Identification Number (VIN) for vehicle identification (i. e. , model, year,

build plant, etc. ). Always have your VIN number available when requesting

assistance with your Dodge vehicle.

>

> When bringing a Dodge truck to a Dodge dealer for warranty service, you

may also wish to verify that the service department is availing themselves

of the diesel technician troubleshooting assistance that is available to

Dodge dealers by way of their S. T. A. R. Hotline. Dodge dealers may call the

DaimlerChrysler Hotline for technical assistance.

>

> Prior to 2004 model year, Dodge warranty on the engine was 5 years or

100,000 miles, whichever comes first. The warranty coverage for the Cummins

Turbo Diesel in the 2004 model year Dodge Ram is 7 years or 100,000 miles,

whichever comes first, and is handled by Dodge dealers, not Cummins. See

your local Dodge dealer or www.dodge.com <http://www.dodge.com> for further

details regarding this warranty coverage.

>

> Customers should call Dodge Customer Service Hotline (800-992-1997) for

assistance.

>

>

> We thank you for your interest in Cummins products. Please let us know if

you need assistance in locating the nearest Cummins-authorized Dealer or

Distributor Service Provider. For assistance in locating a Service Provider,

feel free to use Cummins Dealer Locator, which can be found on Cummins

website:

>

>

http://wsl.cummins.com/ServiceLocator/jsp/controller.jsp?action=showworldmap

>

> Please let us know if you have other questions and if away from your

computer or have a time-critical request that needs more urgent attention,

feel free to call us toll-free (from North America) at 1-800-DIESELS

(343-7357). Customers may also call Cummins switchboard 1-812-377-5000

(worldwide toll call) and ask for the 800-DIESELS Call Center for

assistance.

>

> Cummins Email (via webpage):

>

>

http://www.cummins.com/cmi/content.jsp?siteId=1&langId=1033&menuId=6&overviewId=33&menuIndex=7

 

[DavidC]

I still haven't figured out the time limit, does the engine go stale after 5 years. It should be just a 100k limit but I guess the statistics probably show that if a problem comes up it is probably after 5 years.



Dave