Today I crawled all over my new truck. 1997 model year, Mexican built in August of 1996. Can't find anything on block that has, "53," stamped, and I looked especially on the left front, side, of block, just above pan. I can see the heavy cable loom just behind that location, and it is hard to see behind the loom. I can see most of that area. I rubbed my finger behind loom and could not feel any raised stamps.

In the area easier to see near the front of the block, but still on the side, is stamped, "0410A." Above that is the clock-star looking marking that I always thought related to casting dates, etc.

Does the 0410A have any indication my block is NOT a, "53?"

I did search for this but found nothing on the 0410 number.

Those are all the markings I could find.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

Sounds like you have nothing to worry about.
You don't have to look very hard to see a 53 on the block, it's pretty obvious.

 

i think it was just on 98-99 trucks maybe jsut 99....all i know is that i had one!!!!!!!

 

To be totally correct 1998-2001. But, I have heard of a couple of 97's that had them (this is definitely unconfirmed).

My 2001 has a 53.