Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) used 53 block

[cmills]

I just had my engine rebuilt and I went ahead and got a new block since I had a 53. My 53 is fine, no cracks I just wanted the piece of mind.



What should I do with my old 53? Should I just scrap it or would it be worth trying to sell?

 

[klaybus]

53 Block

If you can find someone who wants it, go for it. I have a 53 now at 140k miles. How many miles are on the block? Why did you rebuild your engine? Did you have outrageous miles on that 53?



Clay

 

[dresslered]

Frankly, I don't think that there is anything wrong with the 53 block and I would think that it is completely saleable. However, where you have it out of the truck, I wonder if there is a method for reinforcing the thinner area to eliminate any future concerns. Just a thought...

 

[2broke2smoke]

nope no good at all ...



you just tell me where to go to pick it up ...



i'll save you the trip to the junkyard

 

[cmills]

The block has 192,000 miles on it, the cylinders look excellent nothing wrong with it I just changed blocks while it was getting rebuilt for the peace of mind although it probably would have never craked. I had the engine rebuilt because the rings on the number six cylinder were stuck do to a bad valve guide letting to much oil in and way too much idle time (around 2,400 hrs)



If I was to sell it what would be a fair price?



Thanks.

 

[klaybus]

53 Block

Frankly, I don't think that there is anything wrong with the 53 block and I would think that it is completely saleable.



Not to bash the 53 as I own one, but... ... . Theres a rumor out there that their prone to crack more than any other Cummins block so for my money I would prefer to own a different series block than the 53 produced by Tupy. (Brazilian Company) My 0. 02 FWIW... . I'm sure it's worth something but I wouldn't think it's valued as much as say a 56 block.



I'm assuming thats why CMILLS replaced it with another series block.



Clay

 

[dresslered]

Not to bash the 53 as I own one, but... ... . Theres a rumor out there that their prone to crack more than any other Cummins block so for my money I would prefer to own a different series block than the 53 produced by Tupy.

Unfortunately, it is more than a rumor. I am also a member of the 53 club but I have not lost a night's sleep over it. In the Ram application, it is extremely rare and I think with regular coolant changes, you will never see it. Come to think of it, I think Nowel (HVAC) had a 53 block in his red rocket and he could never crack it.

 

[cmills]

Clay is right, that is the reason that I replaced it, I know the chances of it cracking are slim, but since I had it out and was rebuilding it why not, I had already spent too much money so what is a little more. So does anybody know how much I should try to sell it for?



thanks,



Cory

 

[klaybus]

53

Cory,

Call Piers as he is the one person that comes to mind that might be able to give you the fair market value of a Cummins block.



604-888-0057 or 604-888-0143



Clay

 

[cmills]

Thanks Clay I can call him and find out I just thought that someone on here might have an idea as I want to be completly fair.

 

[cmills]

No ideas? I guess i'll have to give Piers a call and ask him

 

[klaybus]

53

Let us know what he says.



Clay

 

[cmills]

I E-mailed Piers a few days ago but he never got back with me, so anybody else have an idea on what its worth or who I can ask?

 

[cmills]

Piers got back with me and said that he wouldn't want to build a 53 but said that he did pay $250 for one to use as a display engine. So I guess it would have to be up to the buyer to decide if its worth using. If anybody wants it just PM me and we will try to make a deal, and I'll put it in the classifieds.



Thanks,

Cory

 

[dresslered]

I can understand why Piers wouldn't want it and probably just about everyone on this board might be a bit weary of it. Have you thought about putting it on Ebay with a few pictures. I would clearly show the '53' in one picture, but I really don't think that the general public would be aware of the isolated incidents.

 

[Sea01Cummer]

53 block , how do you determin what you have?



Steve

 

[cmills]

Most of them have a # on the drivers side below the injector pump, right above where the oil pan bolts on, I don't know if they were doing it like that on the 12 valves but I Know they had them on the early 24 valves. Anything but a 53 is good even if there is no number at all.

 

[dresslered]

Mine is a strange one as it has the big '53' stamped on both sides. This must mean of have extra metal.

 

[cmills]

Yeah they had extra metal alright too bad the wasted it on the 53 instead of putting it where its gonna crack. As for the Ebay thing I know nothing about Ebay, never been on it and don't know how to use it. If you think I might be able to sell it on there it would be worth learning.



Cory

 

[jwilliams3]

I'll buy it for the right price.

PM me back.



--Justin