thumper 549

I have never herd of a non 53 cracking so would I buy a 53?? NO!......Why risk it if you have a choice??

murfman

I use my '99 to tow my TJ (33 Swampers, OME lift ,8274,full cage, locked F&R 44's, yadda yadda) , I have a "53" block, I would not worry about it, If it happens it happens, I understand its a lot of money, but is is still cheaper than a new one and its no "PowerChoke". BTW I am envious, Absolutely love Boulder, wish I could move there, but Family, Job etc.. Are all here in $%&#cago. Maybe we could hook up next year, I am planning on Moab, or some Colorado Wheeling. Peace Murfman

tenmile

Murfman-
Give me a lookup when/if you make it out here, i'm always game to wheel and will be going to Moab a couple of times next year.
I've got a ZJ on 35"s, LA'ed, F D44, R 35-Spline D60, and too much other goodies.
Thanks for the advice on the 53's guys!

ramman21921

I crawled up under the ol dodge and found the #55 on my block would anyone know where that block was cast at?

Russ Day

From what I understand you shouldn't have to worry much about the 53 series block problem. A friend of mine is an engineer for a major diesel engine aftermarket manufacturer and I put the 53 block question to him since I'm currently looking for a Dodge diesel.

They see all kinds of warranty complaints from the "Big 3", (mostly it seems, complaints pertaining to Fords and their lack of willingness to deal with owners who have warranty concerns). So I figured he would be the guy to ask. Turns out that everyone he works with that owns a diesel owns a Cummins equipped Dodge mated to a manual tranny.

He replied to my question on the Brazilian 53 block by stating that I shouldn't worry, he has heard of the problem but it occurs so infrequently that the likelihood of it happening is very remote. I believe that casting series numbered around 100,000 blocks imported to the North American market, if it were such a prevalent problem there would be dead Dodges all over the road.

I've stopped worring about the 53 block, if I can find a 24V Cummins in a Dodge with a 6 speed behind it I'll pick it up. I'd be more concerned with the longevity of the auto transmission, if that's what's in the truck you're looking at buying.

DDM

I had a "53" in my 99.Bought my truck new,for towing,I did.Mild Bombing and 4 yrs. 364 days later it cracked.Replaced under warranty,(barely!),now I have a "56" short block,the strongest block to date.
I'm going to be looking for a project truck in the future,If it were to have a "53",I'd sell the short block in favor of the "56". Dave
(I guess you have to go through it to understand it)

Haulin_in_Dixie

I guess it is not a big problem, but I have had two of them crack in my truck. You could not give me one. I know of several others in this area also. I still have court to look foreward to on the last one that I got taken with by the local rip off Ram fixer. He ground the #53 off the block to hide it.