Looking at buying a 2000 model 4x4 automatic and the odometer doesn't work at all. Truck looks and sounds great but this 53 block scares me a bit just wondering if it has a 53 or something different?

 

53 is cast on the left lower forward side of the block behind the vacuum pump. Should be easy to see. There have been a few with the 53 on the right side.

 

Odometer doesn't work?

Rarely hear of those "breaking"

Spend the money and run the vin.

I passed over a few 53's when I was in the hunt for my truck.

 

I have a 98.5 with 53 block. About 160k on it with no problems. It's always in the back of my mind, I'm just waiting. Hopefully I will never have problems....but that's the issue, you just don't know. I'm not letting it slow me down on how I mod it or drive it, but if I had to do it over I wouldn't buy a 53 block. Just for piece of mind

 

I have a 01 53 is on the right side on mine . I did not know about the 53 blocks when I bought it with 130k on now 166 with no issues. Like these others have said I would not knowing lee buy one for peace of mind. But since you know about it you might use it as a bargaining chip so if the price got right an if the truck was otherwise exceptional . I might consider. I mean there is one thing about it these trucks will work right with these new High dollar rides if mine breaks I will replace it an I think its cost affective because I can't afford a 5500 truck then be afraid to get a scratch on it.

 

My 01.5 does not have the 53 block.

 

i had a 53 block in my 1999 ,.imho , they crack fail , because the water psi , in the block can be 100 psi before the thermostat opens...
i had no problems with mine for the first 120k miles , tell one day when i was towing a 15,000 lb trailer ,. pulling out of a RV park.. before it was fully wormed up ,.. , some little sports car came zipping around the corner , . and to avoid him running into the back of my trailer , i gassed it up hard,.., and got a 6" crack ,.. under the freeze plugs.. ,. replacing the block ,. with new rings, bearings , gaskets , and a valve job , was almost $4k ,with me doing the work myself., i drained the block ,.. and got a Quart of sodium silicate , from a drug store ,. dumped it into the motor , and filled it with only water , this bought me about 45 days of driving time witch was about what i need to find a block ,. and rebuild / overhaul a engine....
btw- 1 upside,.. was ,. my heater core never leaked..after the sodium silicate treatment,.. and it's all most 16 years old.. now...