% of block 53 failures

[BFrye]

Does anyone have an idea what percentage of the 53's had a cracked block? I have a 2001 53 that I bought new with only 139,000 miles. I like the truck but worry about when I see a post on the 53.

 

[SRay]

I had a 1999 Dually with a 53 block that I bought for parts. While I don’t know the exact percentage, I’ve been told not all 53 blocks fail.

I still got $1,500 cnd for just the engine (no turbo, pump, etc included) when I sold it.

That engine had 275,000 miles on it when the truck itself succumbed to road cancer and repeated body damage.

 

[jgillott]

No idea what the failure percentage is. Facts are that some will fail and others will not. Years ago, forum member Steve B did a ton of research on the subject. He had one fail in his '99. You could possibly look up some of those old threads for additional information on the subject.

At this point, you really only have 2 choices if you own a 53 block truck. Drive it with the knowledge that there is at least some possibility that it will eventually fail and then you will be faced with fixing it. Or, like I did years ago with my former '01, sell it and don't look back.

 

[SAndreasen]

Get er sold is my vote or at least look into that block stiffener external support forget who makes it . I thought after 20 years mine would never crack I would always warm it up for ten or 15 minutes before driving and always a long cool down after working hard still cracked @ 269000

 

[GW208]

Drive it with the knowledge that there is at least some possibility that it will eventually fail and then you will be faced with fixing it.

I'm at 130,000 and that's my plan. It would be silly to sell a perfectly good truck to avoid a problem that most likely will never happen.

 

[SAndreasen]

That's what I used to think and I have just over 100000 miles more than you