REDNECK-WELDING

ok well i know the 1998-2001 or so have the dreaded #53 blocks...well i have a few questions...what do you do if you have one? if there anything you can do to prevent cracking? anything to look for? are all the blocks effected? or are some good.. should you worry if you put power to it?? i have seen this link http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm but it dosent answer all my questions...thanks for all the help

JSX

Check out http://www.locknstitch.com/RepairExamples.htm. They have a way to fix it if it cracks and they now have a brace that is suppose to help prevent cracks.

REDNECK-WELDING

thanks for the link...it has alot of info...the other question i have is should someone be really worried about getting a truck with a 53block? would you not buy a truck if it had the 53?? how many of these block actually crack? stuff like that....thanks again

bigdav160

I'm just thinking out loud. I wonder if you could use a block fill as a preventive measure. Something like this:

http://www.hardblok.com/info.html

Luckily my 01 has a Mexico engine.

CIN'S DODGE

Not all 98-01's have the 53 block. Apparently the only way of knowing is to crawl up underneath the truck on the drivers side and look up on the side of the block to see whether or not there is a big 53 on it.Hope this helps you out.Cin

Tate

I think overheating would become an issue with that stuff. Atleast with a cracked block, you can drive on it still without much issue.

My plan for my 53. Build it to where I want it. If it cracks, replace, and keep going. I'm not gonna change my plans on a small chance that it could crack. Some say that Evans coolant will help, by preventing cavitation in the passages, but I've never heard any confirmation of this.

REDNECK-WELDING

if its not a 53 what other number will be there??

Truckman

#55 #56,, Some a Series of numbers,,, ANYTHING but a #53,, If your #53 Cracks it will be HERE..... It's VERY thin right there....

REDNECK-WELDING

wow all this info is great...so would you not buy a truck with #53??? and should i not put to much power to it?? is there a site that might say how many of these are difective? im woundering if i should be concered or not
thanks

Adam3291

If you get a good deal on the truck I don't think so. I bought mine with a 53 with only 51,000. Its pretty much luck of the draw with em, I pull heavy and haven't seen any problems.