I have a 99 CTD with the 53 block. Being a little concerned about the block, I emailed cummins from their website to ask about the failure rates with this block. They said that they didn't have any specific failure data for me. They went on to say how any block can fail and that specifically the 53 block probably only had one failure for every several thousand engines sold. Basically, they were saying that failure with the 53 block was very rare. I agree that any block can fail, but I was hoping to get some actual figures from them. I asked them if the 53 block was more prone to failure than any of their other blocks. They responded that they didn't have any data to support that.<br><br>What do you folks think? <br><br>I also asked about the KDP for the 24 valve engines. I have seen some posts about KDP issues on these engines and I wanted to get the answer from them. They told me that the KDP was not an issue on any of the 24 valve engines. That issue was corrected on these engines. I'm keeping the email they sent me just in case something does happen with the KDP on my truck.

 

I have 175k on my 53 block

 

Cummins NW here said they never heard of a KDP failure, and were suprised to see they actually had the retainer tab in stock! Buddy just did a 98' and it was just starting to work its way out, now I think I better make sure my 99' is allright.

 

Yes, Cummins says that there is no issue with 24v engines, but I have seen posts where it HAS happened to a 24v. No one is sure when they changed the timing cover design, or rather when it actually made it onto the ISB engine in assembly plants.<br>For the 60 bucks it cost me to have my &quot;potential&quot; KDP done, it was worth more than the warranty hassle would be to have the parts replaced if mine ever work it way out.<br><br>Chris

 

I was wondering about the 53 block. Could anyone give me a XXX53X type answer to the serial numbers effected.<br>Thanks for any help. <br><br>4x4

 

&quot;53&quot; equals thinner water jacket, I think it is 6mm versus 12mm on say a &quot;56&quot; block. They crack under heavy loads, usually see this in Bus applications but some have cracked when you had heavy towing in a Dodge P/U. The new cover was introduced with the 24 valve trucks but instead of Cummins getting rid of the inventory of old style covers they just added the new ones and worst of all they just mixed them in with the remaining old ones. This means that you can have an old cover &quot;based on luck of the draw&quot; up till the 2000 model year. I have not heard of any old style covers on 2000 and newer trucks.

 

From what I can read, The KDP was corected by a different timming cover. Is there any thing distingwishable about either one of them to tell if I need to wory about it or not?

 

well , ive been ignoring these threads but here it goes...how do i find out if i have a &quot;53 &quot; block and how/ what do i do to check/fix the KDP? (she's been runnin awesome and i didn't want to disturb 'er ) : :

 

[quote author=barracuda link=board=4;threadid=17443;start=0#163807 date=1059088671]<br>well , ive been ignoring these threads but here it goes...how do i find out if i have a &quot;53 &quot; block and how/ what do i do to check/fix the KDP? (she's been runnin awesome and i didn't want to disturb 'er ) : :<br>[/quote]<br><br>Dunno about the 53 block. I've been avoiding looking at mine too. :<br>As far as the KDP goes, nothing to it. If you go for the pinning/screwing method, it can be done by an experienced person in 45 minutes or less. You have to pull the alternator, fane, and idler that the fan rides on to get to the location where the holes must be drilled. You must have an air hose blowing into the engine when drilling and tapping to blow any shaving OUT of the engine (low pressure so you don't damage any seals).<br><br>Chris

 

Here is a good set of pictures of the Jig Fix for the KDP.<br>http://www.phantomcycle.com/kdpfix.html<br><br>Cummins has an Early warning Bulletin, #E03003, dated 23 JAN 2003. It details installation of the Cummins manufactured tab. They have the tab listed as a Tabbed Washer, part #3958017.<br><br>The block casting series numbers are usually located above the flange where the oil pan meets the blocg, beneath the power steering pump. If the series number is there, it will most likely be in 1&quot; tall letters.<br><br>Here is a picture of the Cummins Tabbed Washer.<br><br><br>

 

I had the famous #53 block, cracked in the turbo area as soon as we started pulling hard. Cummins did the job for Parkway Dodge in Birmingham and replaced it with a 55 block. It ran low on coolant one day which led to checking to find the crack. Dealer said, &quot;do not put block sealer in it or the warrenty will not cover it.&quot;