24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain Discuss the 24 Valve engine and drivetrain here. No non-drivetrain discussions please. NO HIGH PERFORMANCE DISCUSSION!

dreaded 53 block

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-06-2004, 12:35 AM
  #16  
Registered User
 
Barry Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cookeville, Tn
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This is the first I've heard of block cracking?
Old 02-06-2004, 12:48 AM
  #17  
Registered User
 
Dr. Evil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: The Great White North
Posts: 7,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by DODGE4X4
Ok I have ruled out that I have a 50 series engine( I looked all over the place and read all 8 pages of the TDR web page post to help me find it.) Ok so the good new is that I don't have a 53 but which engine do I have? My truck was made in October 2000.
What do ya mean "what engine do I have"?? Obviously, its a 24V...do you have a 5 speed, 6 speed or auto???
Old 02-06-2004, 12:50 AM
  #18  
Registered User
 
DODGE4X4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by Barry Smith
This is the first I've heard of block cracking?

Look at this site. http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...=cracked+block
Old 02-06-2004, 12:50 AM
  #19  
Registered User
 
Dr. Evil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: The Great White North
Posts: 7,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by Barry Smith
This is the first I've heard of block cracking?
Barry, this is relatively common......the #53 blocks, used from 97-2002 were made in Brazil....the casting along the water jacket (I believe) is 6 mm instead of the usual 12mm.....so, if you have a #53 block and work your truck hard or have it radically bombed, it could be an issue for you.
Old 02-06-2004, 12:51 AM
  #20  
Registered User
 
DODGE4X4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Well Doc. I mean do I have the Mexico or the Brazil block.
Old 02-06-2004, 01:10 AM
  #21  
Registered User
 
Dr. Evil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: The Great White North
Posts: 7,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
dunno.....
Old 02-06-2004, 04:57 AM
  #22  
Registered User
 
Barry Smith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Cookeville, Tn
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you guys! I'll check into this!
Old 02-06-2004, 08:46 AM
  #23  
Registered User
 
Mechanos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 843
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My truck was built in August 2000 and was built in Mexico. I have a large (about 1.25" high) numbers cast into the block right by the power steering pump. The numbers are "55", so I'm assuming I have the Mexico block and not the dreaded "53" Brazil block.
Old 02-06-2004, 09:04 AM
  #24  
Registered User
 
Tartarus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: beyond all borders
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
According to Cummins:

No 53 blocks were installed in '02 trucks. Very few were installed in '01 trucks.

Strangely enough, the Brazillian/Mexican-manufactured 56 block that was installed in many '01 and nearly all '02 trucks is the strongest ISB block made to that time. 14mm jacket castings. Superceded the 53 -- was Cummins's "fix".
Old 02-06-2004, 10:40 AM
  #25  
Registered User
 
Dr. Evil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: The Great White North
Posts: 7,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
14 mm as opposed to 6 mm in the #53 (so Ive heard).....that just doesnt seem right.
Old 02-06-2004, 11:48 AM
  #26  
Registered User
 
HOHN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cummins Technical Center, IN
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
I have the Mexican block in my '02-- the strongest second gen block made.

The Mexican blocks are identified by the LACK of tall 5x numbers. The 53, 54, 55, etc is a Brazilian block. The blocks that just have a bunch of small character, and no large numbers "5x" are the Mexican blocks.

Rumor has it the Mexican blocks are case with a slighltly higher Nickel content, making them stronger than even the latest Brazilian blocks which were dimensionally identical.

At least, that's what I have been told.



My truck was built in July '02 so it's one of the last off the line.....

Justin
Old 02-06-2004, 02:56 PM
  #27  
Registered User
 
Wilson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Utah
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mine is a 55 block, so what does that mean?
Old 02-06-2004, 03:26 PM
  #28  
Registered User
 
HOHN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Cummins Technical Center, IN
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
It means the block is one you'll never have to worry about.
Old 02-06-2004, 03:44 PM
  #29  
Registered User
 
Wilson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Utah
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally posted by HOHN
It means the block is one you'll never have to worry about.

Thanks for the info.
Old 02-06-2004, 08:36 PM
  #30  
Registered User
 
DODGE4X4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,015
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
YES I HAVE A TACO BLOCK
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
megajoltman
12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
5
03-21-2007 01:37 PM
ccraver
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
5
06-05-2006 05:43 PM
GCSS
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
13
08-07-2005 12:31 AM
Rauschbo
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
14
02-19-2004 10:47 AM
tool
24 Valve Engine and Drivetrain
8
12-27-2003 02:27 PM



Quick Reply: dreaded 53 block



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:44 PM.