12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain Talk about the 12V engine and drivetrain here. This is for 1994-1998.5 engine and drivetrain discussion only.

12v in a 98

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 08:17 PM
  #1  
CumminsRedneck's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
12v in a 98

im looking at a cummins 12v. in the 98 ram, i am wondering if theres anything i should be weary about with this truck, it has 153,XXX miles, 5 spd. manual, pump is cranked and has an aftermarket exhaust on it. I found out the hard way driving it last night that the idler arm is out of it.....Was that a drive......they guy said he would get that fixed and i could drive it again, its a RCLB truck, and i want to know what all i should look for or be weary about engine/drivetrain wise....thanks
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 08:18 PM
  #2  
Forrest Nearing's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 0
just take care of the KDP as soon as you get it. otherwise, you'll love it!!

Forrest
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 09:44 PM
  #3  
apache's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,089
Likes: 1
#53 block? do a search on it.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 09:54 PM
  #4  
Forrest Nearing's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 0
ahh, good call... forgot the 98's had some 53's... but... a lot of 53 blocks had zero problems... if it's made it 153k, it might make it a few more even if it does have a 53

Forrest
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 10:09 PM
  #5  
CumminsRedneck's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
12v guys....12v NOT 24v
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 10:24 PM
  #6  
Forrest Nearing's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 0
the 2nd gen 12v and 24v blocks interchange... some LATE 12v trucks had 53 blocks. I BELIEVE Jim Fulmer's truck has a 53... he's only making 800rwhp w/ it



Forrest
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 10:32 PM
  #7  
CumminsRedneck's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
ugh....thats why i was really hoping to find a 98 12v...knowing #53 wouldnt be an issue, now it is
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 10:33 PM
  #8  
Forrest Nearing's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 0
like I said, at 153k, it's probably not an issue... it's not like EVERY 53 block took a dump... actually a fairly small percentage.

Forrest
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 10:40 PM
  #9  
CumminsRedneck's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
good....but still, this is going to take a LOT of talking my dad into, and he said he doesnt want 1 thing to go bad at all IF we even buy it, hes said he hasnt heard anything good about diesels
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 10:41 PM
  #10  
DZLPWR's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield, VA
FWIW Mines not a 53. So at least you know all of them arent 53's. Just take a look on the block and find out. Then worry about it if you have to.
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 10:43 PM
  #11  
CumminsRedneck's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
and the last thig i want is having an engine block crack on me after i buy it
Reply
Old Nov 11, 2004 | 10:45 PM
  #12  
CumminsRedneck's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Originally posted by DZLPWR
FWIW Mines not a 53. So at least you know all of them arent 53's. Just take a look on the block and find out. Then worry about it if you have to.
exactly where do i look on the block and ho noticable are the numbers on it
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2004 | 09:55 AM
  #13  
infidel's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,672
Likes: 9
From: Montana
If you want to see if your engine block is a"53", crawl under the front, left side, and look up at the block on the front, directly under the injector pump (by the PS pump). You should see a large wiring harness mounted to the block. Directly below this, just above where the oil pan meets the block you will look for a "53" cast in the block. The numbers will be about 1 inch tall. See picture below.

Reply
Old Nov 12, 2004 | 11:54 AM
  #14  
CTD NUT's Avatar
Chapter President
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,539
Likes: 7
From: Caistor Centre, ON, Canada
Originally posted by CumminsRedneck
good....but still, this is going to take a LOT of talking my dad into, and he said he doesnt want 1 thing to go bad at all IF we even buy it, hes said he hasnt heard anything good about diesels
HA HA! I have not heard anything good about gas trucks! Just tell your dad all the good things you have to look forward to when you buy a gas truck like poor mileage, very poor torque, very limited hp and a short life expectancy. Yeah, diesels cost more - but you get what you pay for. Your choice, pay now or pay later.

Don't stress the 53 block, like it has already been mentioned, if it has gone this long it will be fine. My 98.5 has a 53 and has 307,00km on it and has worked very hard towing a heavy goose neck for a large portion of it's life. Like forrest said, it is a very small percentage that had a problem.

A 98 12 valve is very sought after because it is more refined with many subtle changes but still has the 12 valve engine - I say if it seems like a good price and is in reasonable condition, then go for it.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2004 | 12:20 PM
  #15  
MikeR's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 555
Likes: 5
From: Seattle, WA
My '98 12v has a 53 block, and it doesn't concern me making close to 600hp now.
I wish people would quit making the 53 sound like a bigger deal than it is. I watch people every week junk cylinder heads and expensive tranny's, but simply worry about a 53? Come on! Everything has a failure rate, and a very tiny percentage has failed.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:46 AM.