2000 Ram 2500
All stock
Has never had a tuner, never had a 5th wheel nore a gooseneck mounted.
Everything on the truck is stock besides the K&N air filter and after market lift pump.

Has over 350,000 miles.

pulled the head because rear water jacket had slow leak that was leaking at rear of head.

Cylinders still have the cross hatches on the walls.

Head looks amazing except for the multiple cracks between the intake valves.
Some of the exhaust valves have cracks as well.

Honestly Im going to complete the head rebuild in house and install the head back to the motor.

It ran beautifully and no overheating.

Ive done my fair share of reading and have decided the head will go back on and that will be end of story.

Just wanted to pass along some photos of the cracks.

Still cant believe the casting passed quality control and was allowed to be installed to these trucks.

 

Of note the Brazilian blocks are noted for their high silica?? (something good) percentage and are known for their reliability, much so that during my truck hunt I would pass on every "53" Block regardless of the condition or optioning of the truck, specifically searching for a Made in Mexico Vin...Starts with a 3..
Maybe that hardness is a bit much for the head castings, location makes me think stress cracks rather than overheating or warping....just my .02

I had a Pontiac 400 HO that had cracks in the heads and would allow exhaust thru but not water...frustrating when we finally found the crack by magnaflux method and it was less than hairline but would put exhaust into the coolant and boil over

Kurt