new to the diesel world....scared...
 

I am new to diesels and I have a chance to purchase a 99 Cummins that has been well taken care of but after reading all these posts on lift pumps and cracked 53 blocks I don't know if its worth it. I looked under the truck and it has the dreaded 53 block. The truck has 75k on it. The casting in the area appears to be smooth with no leaks. What do I do? It runs great, and I work for a GM dealer so I can get the truck for about 15k on trade in. Any opinions would be appreciated.

Welcome to DTR! The second gen boys will pipe in here right shortly, I'm sure. From a poor boy standpoint, 15k seems a bit steep, especially for the 53 block. For 8-9k you could score (with some searching) a super nice first gen. I just changed my first lift pump @400k:)

Ya $15K dosen't seem like too much of a deal, personaly I would probably keep looking (course we don't know the details on the truck)

That price is very fair for a nice 99 with 75k!!! If the block isn't cracked or leaking yet, you should be OK!! Just check the fuel pressure and if it's low get it fixed ASAP!! If you work in the shop all the diesel repairs are very easy and you should be quite capable to handle.
Don't be scared!!

ps I wouldn't sell mine for any less than 20k

I have a 56 block in my truck. Knowing what I know now, I would not buy one with a 53 block since I keep my trucks and drive them. I also tow alot.

Most of the failures I've read about were on trucks that worked hard with high mileage. Vibration contributes to the problem down the road.

Most of guys who have them, don't give them any slack and run the Pee out of them.

I would seach on this web site for 53 block for more info.

Good luck. Like suggested earlier, a 12V pre 98.5 would be a sure fire dependable truck. It has a problem in high mileage as well, call a "Killer Dow Pin" Look that up as well.

Dave

Personally I think that the 53 block issue is a tad overblown. We hear all the complaints here but how many are out there with no problems? I would say that about 10% of the 53's have issues. If the truck looks good and passes your quality test I say go for it.

I just bought a 99 a month ago from a good friend and didn't realize that it had the 53 block untill two weeks ago. But the majority of the mods have been in place for approx 50k and no problems with mine yet 106k right now and still on the 1st Lp also.

15,000 isnt steep. Thats a good price for a '99 with 75,000 miles truck in nice condition. Thats a real good price!!!

Ya 53s are over done. Worse case you can drop an old *or new* 12v in there if it cracks and ur vp takes a sh*t =D. I wouldn;t trade my truck but the VP might have been previously raped b4 I purchased it so hopefully itll hold up. A 12v would be reliable but if this things cherry, with that milage, and the right setup tht u like, 15K is 3K less than I paid for mine with just rims/tires and a jacobs on it. Good luck with whtever you do!
TNutcher

Seems to me that 15K is about average book value. I've got a 53 block with 65K on it and I'd worry more about the fuel pumps then the blocks.
I love my truck and would recommend them to anyone.

Same here, sounds like a solid deal, and the 53 block is a downside, but most of us that have them aren't loosing sleep... A minority have cracked, and no vehicle is perfect. I'd get it and not worry about the block if it a truck like you want.

And welcome to DTR!

With the cost involved with repairing/swapping a Cummins engine I wouldn't want to risk it. Bad enough having to drive a truck with the $1800 Bosch VP timebomb under the hood.

Having made the mistake of buying a 99 with the 53 block that was cracked but hidden by a layer of epoxy. I would not buy a truck with the 53 block. I now have a engine from a wrecked truck that has the mexican block. I bought the truck for 10,500 and spent 3500 getting another engine in it so I guess I am not too far in the hole

If you look around you will find a better deal. I would for a corvette dealer ship and found a 98 for 8900. Just 95k on it.. That is a good deal. It came with a new lift pump and good steering and brakes. I would keep looking..



But it is your money.... I looked for 5 months.. before i got mine..

Lets see,
$6,000 for rebuilt and new block.
$2,000 for labor.
$2,000 for future VP pump.
$400 for new lift pump.
$4,000 for rebuilt transmission in future if auto.
______
$14,400 Total.

Yah, That's the reason I sold my 99 CTD.