Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) "my 53 block cracked, and my truck was built in..."

[VicR]

Been reading a bit about the 53 blocks lately - seems to be a rash of failures. It seems the problem has been traced to one foundry that didn't cast the blocks correctly. I was thinking it would be nice to know if that foundry supplied both plants, or just one.



Was thinking it would be helpful to get some feedback from those that suffered through this and see if it was more prone to one plant or the other. If the results are definitive, half of us might sleep better.



Of course the best would be to get Cummins to fess-up to a range of serial numbers that were prone to crack, but I guess they haven't been able to do that yet.



Thanks,



-Vic

 

[DavidC]

The Blocks were supposedly cast in Brazil. When the cracks were occurring Cummins had a meeting with Chrysler trying to figure the approach that should be taken on this problem and Chrysler would not even talk about it. Makes you feel warm and fuzzy all over doesn't it. I am still holding the bag on this one and it does not smell very good.



Dave

 

[Hohn]

I think most of the 53s went into St. Louis trucks. The other place where Cummins makes engines is Mexico (the blocks that have just small ##s, not a 53, 54, 55, etc), and it wouldn't seem to make sense to ship an engine made in Mexico back to the US for machining, and then BACK to mexico for installation into the truck.

My Hecho en Mexico truck has been great, and I have the super-duper Mexican '02 block(just little numbers).

Justin

 

[DavidC]

And the 53 owners are driving time bombs without a flack jacket.



Dave

 

[VicR]

Well maybe I made a bad assumption here - I was assuming that 53 was a designation for a type of engine that was cast in multiple places? Kind of like a model year.



Maybe I should have asked if all blocks cast in the Brazil factory during this time were 53's, and all cast somewhere else something different?



If even a fraction of the people that had cracked 53's get on this poll, it should be interesting data.



-Vic

 

[ata]

The Block in my truck has the small numbers and it was built in St Louis.

 

[Softe]

Well, I can't take the poll yet..... But, my truck has the "53" block and it was built in Saltillo, Mexico. . With 139,000 miles there is no sign of cracking yet. Oo. Where the engine was cast is something I don't know.

 

[DPelletier]

Well maybe I made a bad assumption here - I was assuming that 53 was a designation for a type of engine that was cast in multiple places? Kind of like a model year.



Maybe I should have asked if all blocks cast in the Brazil factory during this time were 53's, and all cast somewhere else something different?



-Vic

Correct. 53 blocks were only cast in Brazil and only for a certain length of time. It's too easy to just check the block rather than trying to figure out where the 53 blocks may have been used. A lot of people post that they look in the right spot but don't have the big "53" or "56" so they aren't sure what they have. 9 times out of 10, they have the Mexican block which (as Justin has said) have a bunch of other, smaller #'s instead.



Dave

 

[Holzarbeiter]

Built date 10-98, :{ found cracked 53 block 12-4-04 at 129k :{ .

Cummins knows they have (had) a problem.

 

[FourBarR]

built 6-98 st louis, 338650km. no cracks yet.

 

[Green Machine]

What year was the last 53 block installed in our trucks?

 

[Mad Bomber]

What year was the last 53 block installed in our trucks?

I have a #53 too Ron. So at least though the 2001

 

[The patriot]

I have a very early 98 (Build date probably 10-11/97)that was built in St Louis. It's a 53 (I dont know if it's large or small print numbers???)

105K miles and no problem yet.

Eric

 

[ben_ak]

I have a #53 - built in Mexico - no crack yet. My boss's '99 3500 #53 cracked at 50,000 miles.

 

[FDziurda]

Cracked 53 Block

My late 1999, 2500 4WD 53 block cracked and was replaced by Dodge at 68k Miles. Built in Mexico. No problems since. Took Dealer about a week to get the job done.

 

[MSnow]

Where exactly would a fella look to see the number on the block? I,v got A 98. 5 but not sure where it was assembled. I also bought it used with 100,000 on the clock and car fax says no such problem.

 

[DavidC]

Where exactly would a fella look to see the number on the block? I,v got A 98. 5 but not sure where it was assembled. I also bought it used with 100,000 on the clock and car fax says no such problem.

Look Here

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116737&page=2&pp=15

 

[BigEasy]

Where exactly would a fella look to see the number on the block? I,v got A 98. 5 but not sure where it was assembled. I also bought it used with 100,000 on the clock and car fax says no such problem.

Hey Mark... how high is your elbow now? :-laf You see people you know in the strangest places!

 

[MSnow]

Hey Mark... how high is your elbow now? :-laf You see people you know in the strangest places!

how you doing? Ya just blew my mind. I see your still looking for a truck. The last I rember, the truck you had kind a caught on fire. C-ya!!

 

[MSnow]

Look Here

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116737&page=2&pp=15

Thanks DavidC! I'll have to take a look. Have to wait till I can get it some where dry. Cause it's kind of wet here. Wish I was there!