I am about to go to Indiana to purchase an engine. It is not a #53 block but is an early 1999 build. It has the small numbers at the pan rail. Has anyone ever heard of a different series of blocks cracking. This time I am having to go into debt to get this and I would be a disaster if it cracked. Thanks....

 

Everything I've seen, here and other Diesel forums leads me to believe that only the "53" is prone to cracking.

Something about where and how it was cast led to the thin walls.


phox

 

Only the 53 is crack prone.

However, I have a fix for the cracks that works if you are interested and can do the welding yourself. It is a bit labor intensive and requires the left fender and inner panel be removed to get to the block where it cracks above the skirt.

PM me if you are interested. I have done several of these now, and they are all still on the road.