138,000 miles and no leaky leaky. I'm not worried about it.

 

Like someone else said, a 55 or no large numbers is good.

 

Yep, what everyone else said!!

My 98 12v is a 53 block...good thing I got a spare Brazilian block sitting here to build. Now I'm not scared of it cracking, but I don't really want to build my truck around a motor that might/might not hold!! 600+ is a big gamble on that block to me


Chris

 

Mine let go at 125,000. Replaced it with a non 53. All you 53 ownwers, beware. Especially if you have mods.

 

Mine died at 17,500. The dealer replaced w/another "53". Hopefully,the chance of another cracked block has been drastically reduced) Any record of two cracked blocks? Actually,I fret more over the VP44. Stop leak will get you home. A dead V.P. is bad news.

 

What year models could potentially have a 53 block...A guy told me to get a 2002 model and you won't have to worry, is this accurate?

 

last truck 53 block,330 hp towed an avg gross weight of 31kin the flats and even the mountains, went thru 5 tranny's nv 4500's had over 275k of hard miles on it and golly g that motor was still running fine when i traded it in and the other one's got 159k on it so quit worring and find something more to cry about

 

A "53" block is just that. It has "53" stamped on the side.
If it has anything else, or nothing at all, it is NOT a 53 block and not a concern.

Oh yeah, I have 145,000 on my 53, and a lot of that was towing a 35' 5th wheel all over Colorado and occasionally Utah. It has an easier life now that we moved to Memphis and the camper is for sale.

 

From what I understand, the "53" is stamped under the VP pump. So if you look up at the engine from underneath, its stamped somewhere between the VP and the bottom of the engine...someone correct me if im wrong!

 

All you need to know is on Stameys page:

http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins...NewInformation