Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) New member- 53 block

[Pmaloney]

Hello, my name is Patrick Maloney I am a new member and have been watching this site for a while and just joined. I recently purchased a rolled 99 3/4 ton for a conversion into a 96 1 ton Chevy crew cab dually and the unfortunate part is it has a 53 block, I have read the past threads on this but am still worried I need reassurance that when I BOMB this it will survive. BTW the donor has 79,200 with the 4500 trans. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I have a 99 "53" with a hundred thousand on it, no problems. bg

 

[mcoleman]

My 99 "53" has a 140,000 miles with no problems

 

[rashwor]

I have a '99 with a 53 block with 166,000+ on it that is a daily driver. It has had a EZ for about 2 years and tows 10,000 - 14,000# weekly. No problems as of yet. I am thinking that a 600 will replace it should something happen; I will probably not trade it until something does.



One more thing you might want to check out since you will have the engine out anyway. Do the KDP (Killer Dowel Pin) fix. With the engine out, it is a quick easy job and darn good insurance. FWIW... I have not done this to my '99 either. :--)

 

[Pmaloney]

I am not familiar with the "KDP" fix can you expand? Thanks

 

[mediccummin]

I have a 2001 with the 53 and bombs away with no problems yet. 55k miles. good luck.....

 

[rashwor]

I will try...

to explain KDP fix, but you can do a search here and find out much more about it. It has been known to affect all models from 1989 - 2000. In 2000, the case was redesigned to prevent the pin from coming out, but the old cases were used up and mixed in with the new designed covers. Maybe you got one, maybe you didn't; the only way to know is to pull the timing cover off and have a look, but I am getting ahead of myself.



Inside the front timing case on the engine, there is a dowel pin pressed through the case and into the block for timing case alignment when the timing case is installed at the factory by Cummins. The pin is a roll pin and some do not fit tight into the block. The timing case is open, so the pin can back out of the block and fall into the timing case.



If the pin falls into the timing case, odds are good that it will fall into the gears and cause them to jam while the engine is running. Should this happen, the timing case will most likely brake and the engine will leak oil out the crack. The damage only gets worse from here and can end up costing several thousand dollars to repair.



To stop the pin from coming out, there are two schools of thought.



1) Open up the timing case by removing the timing cover from the front of the timing case... other things must be removed first before the cover can be removed. Find the bolt nearest the pin opening in the case and remove it. Make a tab or buy the tab kit from TST. Install the tab so that it fits over the opening containing the pin. While you have to cover off, check the torque of all the bolts holding the case to the block. These bolts have been known to work loose, but I have never heard of them causing a problem; some members have found some loose when they removed the cover to do the tab fix.



2) Get on a jig list around here for the KDP fix. The jig allows you to drill a hole into the side of the timing cover, tap the new hole for a bolt, and install a bolt in the hole that extends into the case over the opening for the dowel pen, thus preventing it from coming out. Concern would be drill shavings going into the motor, or if the pen has already started coming out. If the pin has already started coming out and you run into it with the drill, you will have to remove the cover and press the pin back in before drilling.



FYI... the case is aluminum and the case cover is thin stamped steel. A search will tell you a lot more than I have here. If you have any other questions, just ask.

 

[SRadke]

More KDP info here.



-Scott

 

[MUDDY]

Originally posted by rashwor

. These bolts have been known to work loose, but I have never heard of them causing a problem; some members have found some loose when they removed the cover to do the tab fix.



.

there is a 92 in harolds shop right now that is suffering from one of these bolts falling out. camshaft broke in 3 places. pretzeled pushrods. bugered up the valves. a big mess. more rare than kdp falling out but it does happen



kdp jigs [and deluxe kits]are available thru harold. -- email address removed -- as are deluxe tab kits

 

[klaybus]

I have a 99 with 128k miles no problem. Way too many other things to worry about that the 53 block... . Like cancer or something along that nature. Failures are rare. Just think about how many 53 blocks were built... . Thousands! From what I've read, most were in school buses & alike FWIW.



Clay

 

[GMincher]

I've got 115,000 on my "53", no problems as of yet. I haven't heard anyone mention it as of yet... That oughta' be one good runnin' Chevy!! I'm trying to talk a buddy of mine into putting one in a Hummer! Good luck!

 

[Pmaloney]

Well everyone thanks for your reassurance! I guess it is time for me to move some of my questions to the conversions page. Getting anxious to get this conversion done since I have driven that Dodge a few times now. LOVE the power!!!!