I've been 53ed

[2Farr]

Does any one on the west coast know a good engine builder. I have a 6" crack on my block.
It is out of a 1999 3500.

 

[Tractorat]

I dont know of a rebuilder. But give Chuck a call at Plateau Diesel in Enumclaw. He can probably point you in the right direction.

 

[Shiner]

Does any one on the west coast know a good engine builder. I have a 6" crack on my block.
It is out of a 1999 3500.

Oh.....I am so glad you specified block! Sorry to hear.

 

[DavidC]

You need another block, it is the only sure way to fix the problem. And not a 53

 

[2Farr]

What other year blocks will work in my 1999? Would a 12v block work in a 24v application if you change all the internals?

 

[Ozymandias]

Stitching seems to have good results also,

 

[GAmes]

The west coast is a lot of territory. Care to narrow it down a bit? Most any 5.9 block will work.

 

[DavidC]

Stitching seems to have good results also,

Keep in mind stitching may mend the problem but not fix the underlying problem with the block as there are mixed reviews. There are lots of posts on here about the 53. If even thinking about using it do a lot of research before shelling out the money.

 

[2Farr]

I'm located at Port Townsend Washington.
I purchased the truck about a month ago to replace my 98 2500. It developed a leak over the weekend. When I took a close look at the engine to figure it out I found the crack behind the trans cooler.

 

[Terry]

Sorry to hear about that. That blows the presumption that I’ve heard several people have proposed if a 53 block was going to crack it would have done so by now.

 

[Ozymandias]

Keep in mind stitching may mend the problem but not fix the underlying problem with the block as there are mixed reviews. There are lots of posts on here about the 53. If even thinking about using it do a lot of research before shelling out the money.

Yeh sure, but we need to consider how long will the OP that Truck use into the future, a new Engine (parts and labour!) in such an old vehicle is a massive investment that will need a lot of miles driven to pay out.

 

[GAmes]

About 200 miles from you is Source Automotive, a business with very good reviews. http://sourceautomotive.biz/ Another option is to join the NW Bombers and get some input from their members. http://nwbombers.com/ No price listed, but I wouldn't do it. Then again I am capable of rebuilding my own engine. http://castingrepair.locknstitch.co...-crack-repair-and-reinforcement-kits/lc59rb3k

 

[Woodenhead]

What he said ^^
Join Northwest Bombers for some quality local support. The top recommendations off NWB will likely be Rips (Source Automotive) or Diesel Outfitters (Mike Boyd), looks like their website is down but their facebook page is pretty active. http://dieseloutfitters.com/offline.aspx

 

[BoeingDiesel]

Seems to be a roll of the dice on the '53 cracking. My '99 is well over 300,000 and nothing yet. Might have something to do (maybe?) with the original owner and how it was treated? If the OP got the truck at a decent price and plans on keeping the truck I'd be inclined to replace the block, but then again, what's the general condition of the truck and the entire power train?
2Farr, just curious; how many miles on the truck?

 

[2Farr]

The truck has no rust on it, and a lot more options than my 98 has. I figure it will be driven for at least 10 more years. Since they are both 2nd gen I'll be taking all the good parts off the 98 and putting them on the 99.

 

[DavidC]

When mine cracked long ago someone on here gave me a number for a Cummin's rep at the plant. Very nice guy and he knew of the problem and shipped a 56 short block to the Phnx. Cummins facility block and shipping on Cummin's dime. I had to pay local Cummins to pull and replace. Chrysler was no help as I was SLIGHTLY over warranty by days not mileage.

 

[ROBERT S HAUN]

No way would i waste the money to patch a 53 block,,it's a lot of work to build a motor,,i'd invest in a different short block, not a 53 .. I was told the 2002 24 valve had the best block ?? As long as they didn't sneak a 53 in the wood pile..
I've heard of some cylinder shifting on the 53 from a builder ??
Look at the cost to patch a cracked block vs. another block that has no rep. for cracking is the way i'd approach it,,, if the truck is as nice as you state.. good luck..

 

[Joe Mc]

I'd search local salvage yards, a 50/50 shot, but they should give you some time to get it running.

 

[brianMo]

I stitched mine and it just cracked beyond the stitched portions. I scraped the block and purchased a refurbished motor. What a PITA.

 

[2Farr]

I'v looked at new O/H engines, they are not giving them away. Then I looked at good used take outs. They are around $2500 to $4000. The people selling used engines really don't know what will work in a 99 truck. Some say only 99 will work others say 97 to 2002 will work. Just got a quote from a shop here in Washington to R&R the motor and install a Jasper engine $13500. Needless to say I'm still looking.