Hi,
I'm lookin to buy a truck, how do I ID the #53 block that is supposed to suck? I've heard that it's stamped right on the block, but where do I look? Is it just the number 53 by itself or is it part of a longer number? Does anyone perhaps have a photo of their engine indicating where the ID numbers are located?

Lastly, what's wrong with the 53 block?

Thanks

 

look under the IP above the oil pan "53" by itself. only one issue, a few have cracked on the passenger side below the tranny heat exchanger. coolant poors out. good luck, i,ve got one but only 180,000 on it.

 

130k for me and no problems I wonder if the people with poor non maintained cooling systems with 53 blocks are the ones that crack because of stressing the cooling system.

 

above the oil pan and below the oil cooler on mine. also on the drivers side below the aux. drive above the oil pan.

 

had 2 with the 53. 1 had 150k on it and the other had 275k and didnt have any problems.

 

Mine cracked - cooling system was fine.

They say long warmup times may help but it is a defective block and I don't see trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear. You could do all of that and still lose it. Cummins admitted they had a problem and assisted with changing some of them besides the ones Dodge changed. It's defective - that's it -- it should not be. A good Cummins should make a millinion miles with only about one OH.

 

big block cummins maybe a million miles but i dont believe these motors where made to go 1 million under working conditions. maybe 500k and that would be the early model motors newer ones maybe not that far

 

My buddys has a 93 with 986731miles on it and it is still going strong some times it cranks a second but it starts. His 04 lol nothing but trouble..

 

Hi, I have a 53 block in a '99 2500 with only 69,000 on it. I check the block every time I change the oil to see if it is cracked. My question is what happens if it does crack? Would Cummins take care of the problem even though it is a '99?

 

Nope they won't. You're way out of any warranty by age.

 

Does a 53 block have a serial # starting with 53?

 

So if it does crack, can you just replace the block? Or try the lock n stitch repair?

 

Mine has been leaking for 23 months so far. Just recently I discovered (irontite) I sure reduces the coolant ( water ) that I go through. With winter coming on I will be using more of it! Can't wait till my 55 gets here!

 

really should be able to fix a crack in a casting. couple of methods. but i would try before i changed the engine.[sometimes they drill a hole in the end of the crack and pound in a soft iron plug. then drill another hole that cuts the edge of the plug and pound in another plug etc] usually works. they also make different cast rods for welding grey or white cast. one of them may work. sounds like nobody tries to fix them they just change the engine.

 

like they said the 53 is cast into the block. panrail by the front. you can see it if you look up from underneath. Core shift during casting is the problem in those that crack. makes the block at the waterjacket at that radius too thin. not all are like that not all will crack. you can drain the coolant punch one of the freezeplugs out near the back of the passengerside and measure the thickness of the casting. i can't recall the number off the top of my head though......I ran between 550-650 rwhp through my 53 block for a year never a problem. I beat the pis out it too.