Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What is a storm block?

[MHagen]

I became a 53 block statistic today :{ I did a search on here and found a couple threads stating that the storm block was the way to go. I called the dealer and a cummins shop and both had no idea what I was talking about. Is it the 55, 56? Was the storm block put in OE trucks, if so , what years? Is the storm block all its cracked up to be or should I be looking for something else. Will the 3rd gen shortblock work?



Mike

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Your 53 is actually a storm block. STORM is an acronym for Straight Thread, O-Ring Metric. It refers to all the drillings and thread sizes for the sensors and stuff. The 53, as you know, is the weak one. All post 53 blocks are good, whether its a 55, 56, or a Mexican "taco" block. On the post 53 blocks, the thickness of the wall where the cracks would develop has been increased to 11mm from 5. 5mm.



Not many know this, but there are A LOT of 53 blocks in 12V trucks. It's not just a 24V thing.



You are on your way to fixing it right though. Some guys have claimed good results with a "lock & stitch" repair, but it does nothing to fix an inherently weak design. Replacement of the block is the right way to do things.



A 3rd gen block will not work without extensive modification. It's not worth doing.



Good luck!

 

[MHagen]

Thanks for the info. Are the 55, 56 blocks stamped in the same location as the 53?



Mike

 

[VicR]

That sucks - how many miles? Is Cummins helping you out with it? Several members have been successful in getting Cummins to pay for parts and they pay for labor.



-Vic

 

[MHagen]

182,000 miles. I doubt anybodys going to help me out with it.

 

[hammersley]

what do you have to pay for a

different block?????????????????????

 

[Cummins724]

Thanks for the info. Are the 55, 56 blocks stamped in the same location as the 53?



Mike

Yes they are stamped in the same spot on 55 & 56 blocks..... the mexican blocks have numbers up above where your 53 stamp would be located & it is a bunch of different numbers throughout the side of the block. Anything but a 53 is good.

 

[VicR]

182,000 miles. I doubt anybodys going to help me out with it.

Probably not. There is an 02 HO complete engine in the classifieds for what seems like a reasonable price. Good luck on your fix and hope you are back on the road soon.

 

[obert]

So a 54 is safe? dont see much of that number. My block was cast (i think) in Y2K.



I always heard the 53 was more a casting defect than design flaw... , and only half of them or so had it.

 

[MHagen]

I just bought a 55 block from a 2000 with 102k on it for $1700. thanks for the input guys.



Mike

 

[Cummins724]

I just bought a 55 block from a 2000 with 102k on it for $1700. thanks for the input guys.



Mike

Is that a long or short block?

 

[Shadrach]

The STORM blocks were first produced in May 97 and are easily identified by the 3/4 npt block heated just to the rear of the oil cooler, instead of the frost plug style. They also have a second drain hole on the exhaust side for the turbo so that the turbo drain ( in a nod-Dodge application ) could be either forward or rearward. This works great with "twins". :-laf The "53" castings were made in Brazil and not "all" of them will cause grief, only if you work it real hard and get it hot. The replacement p/n is 3935943 and the price was kept "low" by Cummins as a sort of compensation ( ? ) to the end user. Nowhere in the Cummins parts books does it refer to the casting numbers, 53 55 etc. Shadrach

 

[MHagen]

Is that a long or short block?

Its complete w/o turbo

 

[Cummins724]

Not bad at all..... Is the injection pump good? My brother needs a pump bad if you want to make some money back.

 

[MHagen]

Not bad at all..... Is the injection pump good? My brother needs a pump bad if you want to make some money back.

It wont be delivered till thursday. I have no Idea what the condition the VP is in or even if its on the motor. Its got a $350 core but they probabally wouldnt even notice the Vp44 was missing. If the knew it was important I would think they would pull it off.



Mike

 

[Cummins724]

Let me know if it is available..... he'll gladly pay you or make a trade if theres something that you can use.