Well I checked and found out I have the DREADED #53 Block.
If I don't be jacking up the horsepower too much (60HP over stock)on my engine...should I be OK and relatively safe from any cracking??

 

Please fill out your signature line so we know what truck, mods, and miles you have.

 

I would not worry too much about the "53". Many people have well over 100 000 miles and still running strong. I recently purchased a 99 3500 and did not even crawl under to check. I have heard only 0.5% of the blocks fail... not enough to cause me to loose sleep. Do what you wish to the truck as for HP and forget about the "53" because once the BOMBing bug bites you will not be able to contain yourself!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!

 

I have a 53 Block with 200k on it.... so far so good. Now if I can get my AC working again I will be a happy camper.

GOOD LUCK

 

Can't say, I have a 55 block, but I have heard that excessive bombing and heavy loads contribute to the cracking. Just to be safe I would not get wild on the power, a EZ or injectors should be fine, just stay away from twins and propane!!!!!

Tom

 

Bought my 99 new, drove it for 6 years and 70,000 miles. Spent $7,000 on bombing the thing within the first few years, auto trans, engine goodies only to find out later I could spend up to another $6,000-$10,000 to replace engine and then the auto would probably have to be replaced again at another $3,000-$4,000. Decided I had already spent enough and had enough headaches, don't need no more so I bought me a new 05 manual and that's the way it's going to stay, stock.

They say that bombed towing heavy in the mountains is what causes the cracks. I have read of guys that done neither and had problems and then guys that do and didn't have water leaks. I think it's a crap shoot.

 

My truck is a 2001 Dually built in March 2001 High Output
Only Mods and I mean ONLY mods is a tune-up by "Jim Jessup" in Indiana ...he is a Cummins "B" specialist.
He tapped into the PCM and basically changed the fuel/timing curve.
Stock Exhaust...

 

i got the 53 and i dont care goin for 500+. They say look at the block if its ruff looking it is a chance, but if it is smooth and nice looking metal you should be all right.

 

Just to comment.... I have cracked two of them in my one truck.

 

I replace two last year. one was just leaking coolant and the other one droped the crank that one made a mess but i was still able to drive it in the shop!

 

if you have a crack block or leaking coolant on a 53 block and under 150,000 mile , take it to a Cummins shop and get a policy on it , it will cover the block and all hard parts on the motor, but it wont cover the labor or consumables or items like belts or waterpump, we have done three of them in the last month. one we replace everything inside the engine. you will get the latest STORM block. I know that doesnt seem fair , but Dodge bought all the warranties..... and Cummins is covering the big portion of cost.

 

well I have 124,000 miles on mine and it is basically stock.
no troubles yet.
I hope it stays that way!

 

What is the STORM block?

 

STORM straigh thread o ring machined block.