Well my 1ton is block 53 and it has developed a crack above the tranny bell housing. It was not cracked untill I started pulling heavy loads. I know, how do I know this, well when I bought the truck last summer I know for sure it was not leaking. OK I pull upto 21,000 lbs, offten around 16 - 19 k lbs.
OK here's my question, if I don't fix it what will happen, continue to leak antifreez? Get worse? Will the inner wall crack and oil and antifreez get in the mix? If I can find a goood motor for cheap I will swap it out. Any thoughts? Who else went throught this?
Thanks
Any input is welcome!

 

Not that this info will do you any good, but I don't think that's the usual place they crack. I was under the assumption they crack along the upper side of the block just under the head and where the camshaft is located, not the rear.

I'm sure someone will chime in and correct me that has more knowledge than I do. I'm watching the block in my 98 as well, because it's also a 53 block.

chaikwa.

 

Can you see a crack where you describe, or could it be a leaking head gasket from the back, or a frost plug, or a loose allen head pipe plug on backside of head? You might have to have a closer inspection to pinpoint it, as they usually crack along the sides, on or near ledge behind the oil cooler(and opposite side also), and not the back(not to say they couldn't crack there though).

 

good point, I will make sure I know for sure where it's leaking. I will post my findings later today.
Thanks.

 

Hang in there, I've read about a couple of ways to fix it. Search this site for some help. I found this site about a repair.

http://www.locknstitch.com/

 

Sounds like a head gasket, not a cracked block. Just take a good look...

 

If you have checked out this site on the 53 block problem, be sure to do so.
http://www.stamey.nu/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm
It will show you where they usually crack.

Above the bellhousing sounds like something else, head gasket or something the other guys suggested.

 

UPDATE, yep the head gasket is leaking. When I look up pasted the bellhousing to the back of the head I can see the leak.
Oh well, I'll pull it a part here in the next 2 weeks.
Thanks

 

Whew...a big sigh of relief

 

Even if it was the block, pulling around 20,000 lbs i wouldnt complain if anything broke. somethins gotta give.

 

Well OK, I think I'm going to Fix the head gasket sell both my trucks and buy a really nice 4x4 1 ton 5 speed.
Thanks