Hmmm...

I wonder if the "big picture" is being missed here.

Nobody is disputing "shortfalls" with Cummins whether by corporate or design accountability.

It's a great forum with a lot of good people helping out.

piperca has a point. It's good to get a grip on things once in awhile.

Next time I see chicken little I'm gonna run that sucker down.

 

I've got 161K miles on my '01 2500 QC w/ a '53' and the block is the least of my worries. Check the front end parts very carefully though. Ball joints, drag links, Track bar, make sure the steering box sin't leaking, etc. One thing to definately check for is to see if the doors are rotting out along the bottom. That's another known problem w/ these trucks.

 

Door rotting issues are typically a pre '97 issue because of a poor drain design that would trap and retain moisture........the design was changed after '97 I believe and for the most part the new drain appears to work fine........

 

As they appear so often, I only read through these "53 BLOCK" threads occasionally. Having gone all the way through this one, it seems obvious that both the "Don't Worry About It" and the "Do Worry About It" camps have valid points.

The idea that someone--after discovering a "53" on the block of a CTD they've been driving for a significant period--would run out and sell their truck DOES seem paranoid. On the other hand, someone shopping around for a good used 2nd generation CTD RAM--and not checking for a "53" on the block--seems more than a bit dim. In fact, you'd have to be in serious denial to ignore something like this when you actually have the option: there are non-"53" block CTDs out there.

As for diminishing the significance of the experience of the CTD owners on this forum--especially the empirical data--there's not much to debate.

My truck was originally sold in Florida. As FLA is a transient state, there are many folks coming and going there at various points throughout the year. This being the case, I've come into personal contact with CTD owners from all over the US and Canada. Statistically speaking, taking a small sample from various groups [CTD owners from all over] is generally considered indicative. As I've discussed many of the same types of issues--especially fuel delivery problems--with people from all over, I choose to recognize the prevailing facts. After combining my own empirical data with that found on this forum, it's quite obvious that certain problems are common to the 2nd generation CTD. Once again, fuel delivery design flaws being the most common.

In short, the issues commonly experienced and discussed by the owners on this forum are in line with those I've personally gathered. That's not to say that there aren't some very peculiar, sometimes more than seemingly self-induced, problems discussed here. There definitely are. And let's face it, stretching any design beyond its specified limits comes with obvious risks.

 

Yeah it is a rare problem. I personally have had two of them crack. The last one on my nickel. Any shop that does cummins pickup work has them lined up as was stated. Used blocks are getting hard to find due to the number sold to put the guts of the old engine in a different block. Matter of fact, I have one cracked in my storage room. Would you like a picture of how rare it is?

If you like playing Russian Roulette with an expensive truck, go ahead. I would only pay salvage price for a truck with a #53 block. Also the post may be right about the California engine cracking less, less torque and hp. Paranoia, that is stupid, this is a major problem for early 24 valve engines. I would also bet that the larger percentage of the cracked blocks are in manual trans trucks and modified automatics. Unless you have between 3500 and 4000 for a shortblock and the time or money to replace it, it would be foolish to purchase one with the record that they have. Right now a block used can be had for between 500 and 1000 dollars, add the labor and machining, bearings, rings, gaskets.... No cheap way out.

If this is paranoia talking, I have some bridges in New York that I will be glad to sell you stock in....

 

Thanks HID......as I said before, the cracking is all too common and I certainly will be selling my #53 before it runs out of warranty. Listen to experience here guys....they DO crack whether you choose to believe it or not !

 

Thanks for the interesting posts, but they do beg a couple of questions...

If you have such a passion for this issue, why would you pass this problem on to another poor victim? It also seems most unusual that some of you would expend so much energy writing about second generation CTDs when you seem to have a very low opinion of them?

One look at the price tag on a new, comparably-equipped, truck is all the motivation I need to keep my CTD RAM on the road as long as possible--and I have no doubt that many other folks feel the same way about their trucks.

Thanks again, but perhaps the name calling and such isn't the most productive way to go about the FRIENDLY exchange of information [food for thought].

 

Low opinion, naaaaaaaa.... Second Gen is the greatest truck built. Especially when you get rid of the #53 block and lift pump Sorry if I offended anyone, life is real, fact is fact...

 

As I wrote previously, I'm certainly with you when it comes to the fueling design problems [I've lived through every aspect of them].

I suppose the fact that I haven't come into personal contact with anyone experiencing the block problems transcends that particular issue for me. In the meantime, however, I'll continue to read and learn more about it. That's what the free exchange of information is all about. Have a great one.

 

who are you directing this at? I dont have a passion, I am simply trying to give you the facts...whether you choose to believe them - its up to you. But Im done now.

As for passing it along - I bought the truck from a 40 year Cummins mechanic - he didnt tell me about any known Cummins block problems now did he?? I dont really know what your driving at about passing it along to someone else.

I dont know how you can possibly misintrepret anything that was said as being UNFRIENDLY I am baffled about how people can be so touchy on an information exchange such as this...

 

I certainly never took anything personally; hence, the "food for thought" phrase. No, I thought a couple of the posts were a bit harsh on some of the earlier posters.

As for the reference to information exchange, didn't I assert that in your quote as well?

As for the questions that have been quoted above, they're simply that: questions. I don't believe that anyone gets any use out of a forum such as this if they're not being clear. I simply asked questions that came to mind because I wanted a bit of clarification.

Pondering this a bit more, it seems that "aiming" judgments at others is wholly unproductive, so the very idea of personal feelings entering into technical discussions is what I find "baffling."

Hope you have a great one [really]

 

Lucky Me.......Recent Winner of the 53 Block Leak Lottery.

I bought the truck 2/16/04 from a used truck dealer, it had 104000 miles on it and is a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 5 speed standard 4x4.

Having been a OTR Truckdriver and put a good number of miles on Cummins Engines (1968 335, 1980 400, 1985 350 & 1989 400) I was looking forward to a good # of Miles on my Dodge. We pull a 9000 lb 5th Wheel camper and I was Loving the Power this truck has.

Now has 117000 on it and started to Leak (Seep) Last Sat.

Fortunately not Leaking bad so may have some time to work on getting a replacement used engine. (Not Another 53 Block)
My Son in Law has a Auto Repair Business and is looking at the possiblity of putting on a Resin Patch to stop the leak and buy some time. He's looking at Permatex® the Right Stuff® & JB Cold Weld has anyone tried these?




Lucky Me..........Recent Winner ot the 53 Block Leak Lottery.

 

I REST my case....(thanks). Yet another one on the list. Anyone want to debate some more??

I would try Devcon products....http://www.devcon.com/. We use devcon products to seal coal pipes

apparantly there is a welding fix but you have to have a pretty experienced welder.

hold on, I just remembered another site:

http://www.muggyweld.com/

http://www.muggyweld.com/castiron.html

I hope that helps. Good Luck.

 

Been through this twice. Use Bars Leaks pellets, the commercial bottle. It will hold you for quite a while. A patch generaly does not work because it cracks in the corner and the flexing of the block pushes and pulls on the radius. Try to keep it plugged in which will minimise the flexing from a cold block. I have also noticed that they like to crack when the temperature drops and the differences in block temperature is greater.

The system will not function right with the cap loose, tried that a few times. You might be interested in using the bad engine to upgrade as well at no more cost. Look for a used or rebuilt RV275 or ISB275 engine instead of the Dodge built engine. Bolts in, you have to use your dipstick and pan with the Dodge oil pickup. If it is the block only deal either short block or long block, use RV275 injectors. You will be impressed. Look at my signature. If the timing case is one inch wider, no matter, everything still bolts up. That will give you 660 foot pounds of torque instead of the 460 from Dodge. It will also get a little better mileage.

These engines were designed and installed in mid sized trucks, school busses, and campers. If you get it with the head, the head has stronger valves and seats. The pistons are teflon coated skirts. The injection pump can be either the Dodge 3300 rpm pump or the 275 2600 pump. A little more torque on the 275 pump. The cost is no higher than the Dodge engine to obtain, and I found it easier to find one. Good luck with it...

 

Everyone knows they crack.

Good luck owalstib. Any "B ticket" welder (pipeline steam or petroleum) with a good procedure will be able to handle the job using muggyweld.