Here is the deal, I have an 01 for sale in the classifeds and a guy responded to the add and asked me what kind of block it had ( did not seem interrested because of what he'd heard( not very knowledgeable of these trucks)))

Now i understand that the 53 blocks can be an issue but from what I understood that if they dont crack by a certain time they are probably not gonna please let me know if I am on the right track with the ?

truck has 167k miles and runs strong it leaks a little oil because the puke bottle fell off and I did not replace it. so it drips from the hose. no coolant loss at all. thanks in advance.SK

 

I have a 53 block with 512,000kms on it, with everything in my sig, no issues here

 

I don't have a 53 block, so I am not a voice of experience. But, I have done a lot of reading. It seems to me that it can happen at any point, if the engine is worked hard or modded. Stress seems to be the key. If you baby it all the time and don't tow heavy, you may never develop a crack. But, if the next owner does work it hard, it could very well happen. Please correct me, someone, if I am wrong.
If I were buying, no way would I look at a truck with a 53 block, say to myself "Well, it has high miles, so it probably won't happen." I would be leary of it, and honestly, use that info as a deciding factor, and as price leverage.

 

Are you sure its a 53 block or are you assuming due to production year, my 98.5 is not a 53 surprisingly I believe it was cast in mexico.


Not sure if you have seen this, shows were to look for 53 block markings

 

Just because you have a certain amount of miles on it - doesnt mean that its not going to crack.

If its going to crack - it will crank - and anyone owning or buying a truck with a #53 needs to realize that an engine swap/rebuild may be in their future.

 

I may be wrong........ but I thought most of the cracking blocks were on vehicles with extensive "Power-Adders", or folks "driving it like they stole it".

 

lots of info on the net, but it does seem that not all 53 will crack, certain ones had a casting issue, and thats easily checked if you pop out the frost plug and measure it, Mine has 53 on both sides of the block, it has 80hp and 100hp inj plus its had both an EZ and EJWA, for the past 4 yrs, and has been driven daily commercially, not saying mine wont crack, but its not something I worry about any more, I stress more over my tranny leaving me stranded.
all that being said, knowing about a 53 before buying does give a person cause for worry, and will scare off an informed buyer

 

I was told where to look for it but never did until yesterday, I saw a series of numbers and what looked like a 53 c under the upper set however I did some research more last night and the 53 I saw isn't the same size or location, so I am gonna go look again, honestly I dont think there is any number in the location they said should be one ( right about where the block and oil pan meet.) under the VP area....

 

Not all 53's will crack, and it can happen at anytime. I wouldn't say that power adders play a role, since there have been lots of stock trucks that cracked. My 24v is a 53 block. No cracks in it. Its about 400k now.