Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) My troubles, your help? (53 block)

[NJackson]

I recently (May) bought my first cummins, a '99 2500 4x4 automatic. I drove around for a while (having a great time) then had overheating issues. Upon further investigation i found that i had a 53 block and that it had a 4" crack in it. That was a month or so ago (of not driving it, a painful experience at the least), and i have since been researching my options and saving as much as i can.



First i am not even sure that this crack in the block would be related to the overheating i was experiencing. Any thoughts on that?



I am now looking for replacement short blocks (would a block from a manual transmission truck still work for me?) Then would i be in need of replacing a large number of other engine parts when the new (to me) short block is installed? Would it be more worth my time and money to drop a used engine in it instead?



Thank you,

Nick

 

[stacerbob]

Maybe someone tried some leak sealer which stopped up the radiator?

 

[SGrasmick]

Its probably overheating because as the crack develops, many times the water leaks out but only quick enough to burn right off on the block, its something that a lot of people never knew was a problem until it was too late.

 

[AFarmer]

I called Cummins and they gave me a new block, bearings, gaskets and several other things. You have to have it installed there though - at your local Cummins dealer.

 

[NJackson]

I am doubting that cummins/dodge will do much for me since i have over 200k miles on the truck and the after market parts installed.



I guess i can hope that the block replacement will help with the overheating.

 

[JHSchultz]

Do a forum search on "overheating". My guess is the overheating issue could cause or aggravate any cracking instead of cracking causing overheating.

 

[AFarmer]

148K when mine just went out. Check out the sig for the mods ---- You can get it done. It's worth a shot if they're gonna give something to you .

 

[JHSchultz]

148K when mine just went out. Check out the sig for the mods ---- You can get it done. It's worth a shot if they're gonna give something to you .

148k and a '99 model year truck... . I'd say that was out of warranty. Did you just pay labor to get the block and parts installed ,AFarmer?