KATOOM

I was calling around to ask about #53 block problems and some shop told me that '01's dont have this trouble. It was only '98 and '99's. Then told me that its the numbers 053 in the last numbers of the cast that I'm looking for not 53. I said I see a 53 where he said to look and he still said its the 053's that sometimes crack. Whats the deal?

BigBlue

Never heard of that. I think he's BS'ing ya. It was mainly 98 and 99 with a few in 2000. Never heard of an 01 cracking, but there's a first time for everything.

StakeMan

Early 01's can have the 53 block too. I have 120,000 miles on mine. Never heard of an 053.

jrs_dodge_diesel

I think it was very rare to get a 53 block in 2001. My 2001 has a 55 block. As others have said it is 53 and not 053. There are only 2 numbers cast into the block, not 3.

Dr. Evil

My 2001 is definitely a 53, plain as day on the passenger side just above the oil pan.....the 53 is about an inch tall....

Dave65

I know 3 people with 2001s and they all have 53 blocks.
One with 50,000 one with 90,000 and one with 132000.
I try not to worry about it but I am a worrier by nature,it really eats me up

jrs_dodge_diesel

Guess they aren't as rare as I thought they were.

aarlucas

Did all 99's come with the 53 block? I have been looking on my block on both sides and I don't see the number 53 or any other numbers for that matter any where. Where would I find this number if I have it?

I went and looked again and the only numbers I have found cast into my block is about a inch and a half above the oil pan rail on the very front to the engine. The drivers side has this: 2 BC and the pass side just has a B. These are about 1/4 inch in height. So what do I have? Is this a replacement block maybe? I bought the truck from the 2nd owner who said he did nothing to it. The first owner had it for the first 75K miles.

jrs_dodge_diesel

Front of the block, either side, right above where the oil pan mounts to the block. I have seen it on both sides of my block. Mine is a 55.

Dave65

If you don't see a 53 then you have a good block.

KATOOM

I'm sure this has been said a few times but where does the #53 crack exactly (pictures would be nice) and what is the tell tail sign if you were and weren't looking?

fschiola

My 2000 has one and I have a buddy that has a '98 12v with one. He has 65,000 miles and mine has 83,000 miles. You can't miss the #53 on the block.

Haulin_in_Dixie

Keep an eye on the level of coolant in the overflow tank. If you start loosing coolant, than look for the crack. They generally crack on the passenger side towards the rear of the block, near the turbo and behind it. As you look where the head is bolted to the block, look down from there and you will see where the block has a ledge and steps in closer to the center of the engine as you go down. In that step there is a radius and the crack comes in that radius. As it gets worse you will see lines of leakage and dried coolant that has run down the block to the pan rail. When it gets real bad it will discolor that area of the block and the transmission adaptor, and real bad and there will be spatters in all areas behind, like on my trailer. It will keep getting progressively worse until you cannot keep water in it for 10 miles.`

Moose10

Here's all the "53" block info you could want....

http://www.stamey.nu/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm

Mountain Mania

In the thread It says a stock truck that is less than five years old or 100k would be covered on warranty. Is that the 6 year 160000kms engine warrenty that is reffered to or another warranty that covers the engine block specifically?

I have a 99 that I suspect has a cracked block It has 135 000 kms on it. I know it is still covered by some warranty. I would like to know whether it is or not before I take it to Dodge and ask them about it because I know how they just love to try and wisel out of the warranty work.