A friend and neighbor of mine just picked up a '96 12 valve. It isn't real pretty but is rust free and has less than 100k miles. And everything still works including the AC! I guess he did pretty good for $1400. What do you all think?

He's new to diesels, so he was glad when I told him that he has the most reliable and durable of all CTDs! I also told him about DTR, so hopefully he'll be introducing himself here soon. But then I got to thinking, what about the KDP and 53 block I've heard so much about? Do those even apply to 12 valves? So I thought I would ask the experts here.

 

$1,400 is real good
2wd - 4wd
A/T - 5 spd

Yes KDP is something to address ASAP.
53 is highly unlikely. The mold was tooled in 1997

 

Thanks for confirming my suspicions, John. It's a 4WD auto by the way. Anyone else?

 

If you don't take care of the KDP right away your good deal could end up needing a new engine.

 

yup if i were you i would order the KDP kit ASAP. it doesnt take that long to do and all you need are basic hand tools and a torque wrench. it provides great peace of mind. i wouldnt worry about a 53 block, if it has one there isnt much you can do about it....

 

Go to www.dodgeram.org and read through the information. It has alot of basic preventative maintenance (PM) to bone up on the diesel engines.

-John

 

A 96 12V will NOT have a 53 block.

 

thats one problem solved.....