i've been reading alot about blocks cracking? where do i check to see what block i have or what years did they switch i've got a 99 3500 with about 181k. and i'm just wondering if i should be worried about my block cracking

 

Being a 99, chances are you have a 53 block. Check on the front of the engine, driverside, just above the oil pan. Should you worry? IMO, no. If its going crack, its going crack, regardless if you fret about it, or just carry on with life. The amount of 53 failures are pretty low. Its just that when one happens, everyone hears about it.

 

what happens when it cracks? loses oil pressure or what? i'vd got alittle bit of an oil leak i always thought it to be my breather hose because most of the oil starts in that general area

 

It leaks coolant out the side of the block. On the passenger side, in the middle of the block. Crack goes horizontally, somewhere between 2-8" long.

 

no problem thanks

 

Here you go ,alot of information here. http://www.cumminsdatabase.com/read.php?id=185