Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Just found my block number..... 53!

[ScottDunn]

I always dreaded doing this, but while crawling around under my truck today, I dug and scraped until I found my block number. Now, I wish I hadn't. With my truck being an early 2000, I should have figured, but I always held out hope that I had a Mexican block. Knock on wood, no problems with 130K miles, but no modifications either.



How difficult is it to swap a 3rd Gen. engine into my truck. I tried to do a search on this, but I had no luck. Thanks!

 

[johncameron]

welcome to the club#@$%!#@$%!

 

[dnesbitt3]

don't lose sleep over it. I've got nearly 300K on one and no problems. If they all cracked then there would have been a big recall, big lawsuit, big something... .



I've found the downside to the forums is that not very often do the people not having problems post what great luck they've had.



Worry more about your lift pump, VP44, transmission, torque converter, brakes, plugged radiator... those are the things that I have had to fix (oh yeah I forgot about the TPS)

 

[FourBarR]

Welcome to the 53 club. Now have 451,000kms on mine with no problems. no mods except 4in. exhaust and k&n filter.

 

[ScottDunn]

Thanks Don, that makes me feel better hearing some good stuff concerning these blocks. I kinda figured that a few were running around with some miles on them, but the majority of the posts state the number of miles on the clock when they went blewy!



I do know about the lift pumps first hand... ... that was the 1st post that I made here as a new member. Transmission will come next. I'm considering the Goerend Brothers, too. Looks and sounds like good stuff. Take care, Scott

 

[jhoughton]

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I have some mods but have only run above level two on the comp three times, but at 77,800 miles I discovered a two inch crack. Now with 78,100 mile I now have a 6 inch crack and am loosing coolant at about 2 gal per 20-25 miles. So now I will be getting the new block ready to go in sooner than planned. Good luck to all that have a 53 and no cracks. I know that not all will crack and hoped that mine would not, but it did. I knew when I started to mod that I would be pressing my luck. However I do not feel that the mods cause this to happen. It is a known defect and should have been fixed prior. The Brazil plan no longer provides blocks according to the Cummins shop in Nashville. Cummins agreed to fix mine with an offer of they supplied the parts and me paying the labor. Great deal if you can't do it yourself. I can do it myself for less than half the labor quote with me buying the parts. Just seems a shame since we paid a good price for these trucks. To have to put more into them later. Jim

 

[SHobbs]

53 club member here. 200,900 miles and counting, one VP44, 2 L. P's, 1 water pump and comin Monday a new clutch. So far the best truck I have had bar none.

 

[EricBu12]

I had the 53 and Now I have a mexican block.

The thing I think that makes the 53 block crack is heat stress. I didn't have a leak until I towed heavy and got pretty hot so if you dont have alot of mods and don't tow heavy, you should be OK.

Sorry for you having the 53. . Maybe time for a new truck? . . the new 6. 7's are out!

 

[MamthTorq]

I have 150,000 on my 53, no probs yet. I tow heavy often, I try to keep it from getting too hot, but when it is 112* outside, it has some help warming up. I am holding my breath trying to keep it from cracking, seems to be working.

 

[SHuber]

Where do most of these 53's tend to crack at?

 

[jhoughton]

They normally crack below the freeze plugs in the radius on the skirt. Mine started back by the #4 cylinder and traveled forward about 6 inches. I'm in the process of replacing it now.

 

[cArNiVaLwOrKeR]

jhoughton

They normally crack below the freeze plugs in the radius on the skirt. Mine started back by the #4 cylinder and traveled forward about 6 inches. I'm in the process of replacing it now.

Good luck and I hope you have a big bankroll...

 

[johncameron]

Here, I keep checking there time to time

 

[GMincher]

Don't think about it and run it like you stole it. I'm living by these words and it's easier than holding my breath!! (LOL)

 

[PRout]

Just wondering if theres any way to strengthen it before a crack starts. . Like maybe spreading JBWeld all over it or something like that. . Havent figured out what material would make a significant improvement in strength yet, but hey just throwing the thought out there. .

 

[PRout]

Too bad a cover plate couldnt be welded in place as a strengthener.

 

[FLynes]

My understanding is that the 53 blocks weren't just U. S. made; there were also 53 blocks that came from Mexico. True or no? Just asking for my own edification; I have a 56 block

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'm surprised that folks short on $$$ don't just add a good block sealer to their coolant, and keep on running them. I've had some pretty nasty gasket and casting plug leaks over the years, and never had any problems after adding a good stop-leak to the coolant - never any issues with the heater core or other parts of the system from the sealers, either - and lots cheaper than a new engine, especially if the leaker is running good otherwise, and has low mileage on it...

 

[jgillott]

I'm surprised that folks short on $$$ don't just add a good block sealer to their coolant, and keep on running them. I've had some pretty nasty gasket and casting plug leaks over the years, and never had any problems after adding a good stop-leak to the coolant - never any issues with the heater core or other parts of the system from the sealers, either - and lots cheaper than a new engine, especially if the leaker is running good otherwise, and has low mileage on it...

That's a good point. However, at least with the cracked 53's that I've seen personally, the cracks have been of such magnitude, a leak sealer would probably not be feasible.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

That's a good point. However, at least with the cracked 53's that I've seen personally, the cracks have been of such magnitude, a leak sealer would probably not be feasible.

Dunno - I've seen a couple of real gushers stopped - and if the engine is going to be scrapped anyway, what's to lose?