I work with a guy that bought a 99 last summer with 160k miles on it. He noticed it was losing antifreeze from somewhere and found it was indeed a cracked 53 block.
He ended up putting a new engine out of a wrecked 2000 in it. I think he payed over 6 grand for everything including labor.
I wish you luck, bummer deal.... :-[

 

Chris,
Yes that is exactly where 53's usually crack.

--Justin

 

Mine was cracked, but oil was leaking. this was at 4500 miles. they replaced it with a short block under warranty.

Mike

 

Stamey,

Whats the news???....is yer block actually cracked?? Im sure we'd all appreciate an update...

 

Im thinking you have some hard codes stored.....Good luck with it man...

 

I have a 99 and checked my numbers but am a little confused, the engine number is 56543106 but the engine reference number is 53040202AB, I'm wondering what number I need to be concerned with.

 

You need to look at the block, under the injector pump on the left side. You should see a "53" cast into the block, not stamped, if you have the block we are speaking of.


By the way, my truck is in the shop now. The dealer says they found a crack on the LEFT side in addition to the one on the right.
Stay tuned...

Chris

 

What year trucks are these "53's" in?

 

[quote author=Ram04 link=board=4;threadid=19478;start=15#msg211804 date=1069338463]
What year trucks are these "53's" in?
[/quote]

98 and 99.

Chris

 

I have a 2001 with a #53.....are all the castings on the drivers side??? Mine casting number is on the passenger side - on the block just above the oilpan....sound about right??

 

@%&#!...........I checked and I have the 53. :'( :'( :'(

Some comments have been made that these crack if you pull really heavy loads. What is a really heavy load?
The heaviest I pull is a travel trailer at about 8K, but I do pull it up and down the mountains in Colorado.

CR

 

[quote author=crobtex link=board=4;threadid=19478;start=15#msg212185 date=1069392238]
@%&#!...........I checked and I have the 53. :'( :'( :'(

Some comments have been made that these crack if you pull really heavy loads. What is a really heavy load?
The heaviest I pull is a travel trailer at about 8K, but I do pull it up and down the mountains in Colorado.

CR
[/quote]

Just remember that there are many thousands of them out there just wearing out without cracks.

 

I believe the 53 blocks could be in 98,99,00, and 01 trucks. It could be cast in the drivers side , pass. side or both. Most do not crack but towing alot or bombing increase your risk with these castings. What is the latest word on yours Chris? Good luck, Tim

 

Mine is 53 too and I have an 01.

I'm just looking for an excuse to crack it so I can take it back to DC and have a new one put in .... on warranty. Just have to find a legal way of doing it now without voiding anything.

 

[quote author=BOILERMAKER link=board=4;threadid=19478;start=15#msg212294 date=1069430623]
Just have to find a legal way of doing it now without voiding anything.
[/quote]

I think the only approved way to crack it is to put a BIG, heavy trailer back there and drive the hell out of it....does anyone know how to intentionally crack it ?? ;D