Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How much for a new block, parts etc.

[mediccummin]

Getting rid of my dripping 53 but want to know if anyone has purchased a NEW block and not used or rebuild etc. If you have, what was the cost. I cant seem to find any talk even after searching multiple times what people have paid for a new block. Also do they make a complete gasket kit for the rebuild or do you have to purchase each gasket/seal seperate. I am gearing up for this major task and want to have everything I need. Also thinking about changing cam while apart, one for lower egt while towing, Any suggestions on which one. Since cummins wont talk to me over the phone I'm going there today to get some prices but would like to compare and find my best deal. I have a few connections so I will go with the best deal. I dont want to do this again So I am looking new and not used. I used the DIKE to seal for a bit but now I have heater problems, I hoping it is just my heater lines clogged, and I can flush them out. Any suggestions would be great Dwayne.

 

[mediccummin]

Just for a bit more info. My truck cracked at 82k, very little towing lately. It cracked the first week I used my block heater. Myself and my friend will do the rebuild in his shop, so I want to go the best route since I will save on labor etc. He suggest to just go with a new block and swap over all my parts. My truck runs great and has easy miles. Less than 10k in towing and I rarely race it etc.

 

[AFarmer]

Have you thought about getting a used block that's a good casting??

 

[Cummins724]

You can get a running engine with low miles fairly reasonable..... or watch ebay for a block. I understand that you want new & want it done right... . just suggesting. When my block cracked... . I priced a short block from Cummins & it was around $7000. The long blocks were $10k. I never priced a bare casting. I know a guy who has a 12v engine complete for $2000 if you would rather go that route.

 

[mediccummin]

Well just got back from cummins, They had only 2 blocks in the system both at the factory, made damn sure it they were'nt 53's, they are obviously no longer sending those out, the guy helping me called to confirm it was the right block I need. Anyway here are the prices



New Block with oil pump already installed,,,,$1711. 50

Upper gasket kit 177. 15

Low gasket kit 242. 04

main bearings 79. 35

rod bearings 92. 88

rings 246. 72



Not as bad as I thought, There are no shipping or freight charges and he will give me a discounted price when the parts come in and I pay. This is cummins cal pacific ventura ca. they stated even the service manager that they have never heard of the 53 block problem, although they had a run of 2000 motorhomes with the same engines cracking, they recalled and replaced the blocks. Labor will be up to my friend, he will probably not charge me and I will help do all the work, but of coarse I will pay him something for his time and space. I will update



ANy suggestions on a good cam.

 

[DavidC]

If you do not already have one you might consider getting a Cummins Power Booster club. 10% off on all parts and labor. May save you some money, when I got mine I believe it was 30 dollars one time and lifetime member. Mine was thru Rocky Mountain Cummins.



Dave

 

[JR2]

For a cam I would look at one from F1 Diesel or PDR. Do a search for cams and you will find many opnions.

 

[ACoyle]

I am not sure how you would look at it, but, If you are installing a new block, then you should also put in new rings, have the pistons checked / cleaned and have the head done. By the time that you are all don with it, would'nt a rebuilt short block from cummins or soneone else, with a waranty, make sense?



Just my thoughts, FWIW

 

[mediccummin]

I did list the rings on my prices above, and ya this would be a short block basically, But the short block were rebuilds not new and cost much more, I am not paying any labor so I am willing to spend a little more on parts etc. We are planning on the head and pistons done at no charge to me. Ive been asking for prices on here and no one has ever said a cheaper price than what I have listed, the only price input I have found has been much higher. Someone mentioned they paid 1900 for a used block only, and someone mentioned quotes of 7k for a short block, 10k for long block. I'm just tired of dicking around with Dodge dealers and there bull. And tired of smelling coolant every day. Oh and by the way Cummins cal pacific told me that they do no work, no work at all on any dodge truck or cimmins engine out of a dodge truck. The full responsibility lies on dodge. They told me cummins cut all ties with dodge and wont warranty any cummins engine that is out of a dodge truck, sounds kind of crazy if you ask me, that came straight from the service manager.

 

[Shadrach]

The way the aggrement is with Cummins and DC , Dodge gets all the warranty work ( and headaches ). It's too bad they don't give great service as well. One unhappy Dodge owner in my area pulled his truck out of the local Dodge dealer with the engine in pieces in the box and took it the the local Cummins Dist. They spent hours going through the "pile" of parts but rebuilt it for him. It was an 05 that had been dusted. He had to pay the full

bill himself, but it was his work truck and he needed to have it on the road. For a replacement engine he would have had to buy it from Dodge and he didn't want anthing to do with them anymore. Shadrach

 

[rweis]

And you wonder why DC may be for sale



Bob Weis

 

[GOT-Torque]

Could a 3rd gen block be used? I know there are some differences, but would it work?

 

[jmy]

Medic


Did a quick search for complete low milage engines reasonably close to you.

M & M Imports - (Fontana) 1-909-428-1111 has a 2002 with 91K miles listed for $3100

LKQ of Central California (Bakersfield) 1-800-832-8733
has a 2001 with 46K miles listed for $3500.

You would need to check to be sure you don't get another 53 block with any used engine.

 

[John - K5AWO]

What do you mean by "Dusted" ???

The way the aggrement is with Cummins and DC , Dodge gets all the warranty work ( and headaches ). It's too bad they don't give great service as well. One unhappy Dodge owner in my area pulled his truck out of the local Dodge dealer with the engine in pieces in the box and took it the the local Cummins Dist. They spent hours going through the "pile" of parts but rebuilt it for him. It was an 05 that had been dusted. He had to pay the full
bill himself, but it was his work truck and he needed to have it on the road. For a replacement engine he would have had to buy it from Dodge and he didn't want anthing to do with them anymore. Shadrach

My son is out looking for a "new" truck "to him". He came up on a dealer today that mentioned that none of his trucks have been "dusted". The only thing to my mind is the very old trick of putting sawdust into the crankcase oil to try and hide loose bearings for a few minutes until you drive off the lot.

Is this what was meant here in this post.

This is the only thread in my search that showed up this term in a way to mean what I think it means... .

Appreciate any quick replies..... as he is going to see this guy in a couple of hours.

Thanks, John

 

[DavidC]

Dusted means the engine induced dirt thru air cleaner,oil system etc. The result is low compression on some or all cylinders and other internal engine wear. I drove a Ford at work that was dusted and had 2 low cylinders which caused engine vibration at idle and low power at all times.



Dave

 

[John - K5AWO]

Tnx for the quick reply. That helps a lot. I will let him know. Definitely don't want a truck that has eaten a lot of dirt... .