Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lock-n-stitch bracket for 53 block

[CCamillo]

I have been researching this problem and have been trying to find a way to prevent it from happening. I called LNS and found out the bracket was $455. 00 for one. The salesmen suggested doing 3 of them for $1100. I was wondering if anyone had done this or had some feed back on how well this works. I allways us my block heater in the winter and let the truck warm for about 15 mins. I really like this truck and am kinda disappointed at the problems i'm hearing about on the 24v's. I am also looking at doing the KDP fix. Just wanting to make the 500,000 mile mark someday i'm at 119,xxx now. Thanks.

 

[HBarlow]

Have you determined that your truck does, in fact, have a 53 block? Not all '01 trucks have 53 blocks and not all 53 blocks crack. I had an excellent '01. 5 Ram 3500 dually that I put 325,000 miles on. It was not a 53 block and was a great truck.

The problems with factory lift pumps and VP-44 injection pumps are exaggerated. I replaced one VP-44 by mistake due to mistaken trouble-shooting and two lift pumps in 325,000 miles. The Cummins engine is a 500,000 mile engine if you change fluid and filters occasionally.

A year or two ago a fellow TDR member, EricBu12, suffered a cracked 53 block and used the Lock-n-Stitch repair. He posted a descriptioin of the entire procedure including quality, detailed photos of the process. I think he ultimately posted that the repair failed and he bought and installed another replacement block. You could search for his posts or PM him.

Not all 53 blocks fail. I know another TDR member with an extensively modified '01 that he has told me is a 53 block. He doesn't put many miles on his anymore, has quit traveling much, but his hasn't cracked and doesn't leak. If yours is a 53 block it is not certain it will fail.

 

[jgillott]

I have been researching this problem and have been trying to find a way to prevent it from happening. I called LNS and found out the bracket was $455. 00 for one. The salesmen suggested doing 3 of them for $1100. I was wondering if anyone had done this or had some feed back on how well this works. I allways us my block heater in the winter and let the truck warm for about 15 mins. I really like this truck and am kinda disappointed at the problems i'm hearing about on the 24v's. I am also looking at doing the KDP fix. Just wanting to make the 500,000 mile mark someday i'm at 119,xxx now. Thanks.

A few years ago, while I still had my 2001, three of us here had 53 block trucks. Two of them were '99's and then my '01. All three of those trucks were highly modified and had been down the drag strip many times. Of those 3, one of the '99's ended up with a cracked block. The other two were still intact when they were sold and from what I understand are still together today. I've also seen completely stock 53 block trucks with cracked blocks and others that have gone hundreds of thousands of miles.



The moral to my story is, for as many of those trucks that I have been around over the years, there seems to be no one specific situation under which the 53 blocks fail, nor have I encountered any one sure way to prevent it.



My advice to you would simply be to enjoy your truck any way you would like and not be overly worried about the block issue. There is a chance that it will eventually fail, but also an equal or better chance that it will be in one piece long after that truck is worn out.

 

[CCamillo]

Yes i found the casting number on the lower drivers side. I run Amsoil in everything but the tyranny. I change my fluids and filters on a regular schedule. I treat my truck very good. I would like to do more mods but right now it is all about preparing the truck to handle it. In the works is upgrading the fuel system, the oil filter system and then the intake. Thanks for the info.

 

[SHobbs]

I am in the "53" club and currently have 240k on the odometer with zero problems. I try not to think about it cracking and just drive the daylights out of it.

 

[EricBu12]

I had the 53 block and did a rebuild with a mexican block. I think mine must have cracked when I did a heavy load, pulling a steep hill on a hot day and engine got pretty hot. I think that is what does it.

If you drive daily and don't tow heavy, you most likely wont have any problem

 

[johncameron]

My "53" block just turned 240K kilometers without a crack... . It has NOT been babied.....

 

[EricBu12]

All I know is it cracked when I was near Monument Valley in 115 deg heat pulling my 15K 5ver up several steep hills and the engine got close to the 240 mark each time.

 

[ramdriver15]

Like noted above not all 53 blocks vcrack. My friend has a 99 53 block that is touching 500rwhp. His block has yet to let go at 130k. He is hard on his trck too, and also tows 2-3 cars on a gooseneck with no problems... .