I'm waiting for my short block to come in, I have towed probably 60% of the time with mine, but not always heavy.I was very lucky,Mine started to leak the last day of my warranty! Mine has just a pin hole leak at the front edge of where these all seem to be cracking, same as the above pictures.Its a 99 dually, mfg. date 10/19/98 with an ESN 56513472. Good luck to all that have to go through this, At first, it didn't sound like it was going to be covered under warranty. I called Cummins Northeast, $3600. for a reman short block and $1400.00 for a bare block. Dave

 

I was talking to a Cummins dealer today. He said I'd rather have a block installed as I would get the latest design, I think he called it "storm", and he said that block is BEEFY. He recommended against a short block or long block because he said I'd get a reconditioned unit that did not have as good a block.
That's the route I am now persuing.

Chris

 

Im a little confused, is that just the block??

Also, was that covered under warranty???

 

Evil, yes, the Cummins dealer recommended replacing just the block. I think the dealer will replace the short or long block, which is a reman of and old setup. I don't know if you have a choice of that under warranty, and besides, I don't know that I want the truck dealer assembling the bottom end of my Cummins since many dealers do not have a qualified diesel mechanic.
I am not commenting on my warranty at this time.

Chris

 

good luck with it Chris......probably the best route to go....

 

Mine received a brand new short block and is a #55

 

looks like i lucked out. i checked my engine block today and its not a #53. From what has been said i think it is one of the strong mexican blocks. a line of small number in the left front of the block. ;D ;D ;D

 

Still not talking, but stay tuned, things are lookin up.

Chris

 

well i didn't get so lucky ! my #53 block cracked on r/h side of block just below the soft plugs. just beyound dodge warranty ! my luck ! cotacted Cummins and they are going to work with me on a replacement long block.they are very helpful and willing to help some so i recommened all if they have a problem to e-mail them and hopefully they'll help as the've done for me !! good luck

 

I have seen about 6 of these things now and was looking at one yesterday, out of the truck. Where I have seen them crack is on the right side near the back of the engine. That is officially the passenger side. As you go from the freeze plugs down, there is a step where the bottom is about 3/8 of an inch narrower than that above it. The crack comes in right at the very top of the narrower part. That is the step that is in the pictures on this thread. The pictures show the characteristic crack.

I cannot promise this, but most of the time it can be driven for 20 or 30 thousand before it gets really bad. IF it is out of warranty use bars leaks in it to help. Cummins says that using a sealer if it is warranty will kill the warranty. Remember, you can't hurt it if it is not warrantied, the engine is scrap, or at least the block is. I am seeing more and more of them, looks like a good class action deal.

Got a kick out of Dodge, they ordered the new short block, said go ahead and drive it, will be about three weeks. The called we took it in, it had over 10,000 more miles on it. The said "what are you doing with this truck?" Said "driving it" He said "thats for sure."

 

What years did they use this '53' block

 

The 53 are in late 98-01

 

I'm resolved now. See my other post:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=37407


Chris

 

If this "53" block has had such a continuous problem with cracking, wouldn't it be a manufacturers defect, and possibly a class action brought to get these "bad" blocks replaced ???

 

wayne - start the ball rolling.....Id like to get mine replaced instead of having it crack and then try and get it replaced....