I just noticed today when i was getting brakes done that i have the 53. it also uses coolant and i noticed some on the front bottom of the motor. what should i do. my first reaction is to sell the truck, just not to someone i know. i replaced the tranny less than 6 months ago and put a rv torque converter in it. last year i had to replace the vp44, i've done the lift pump twice, now i have a holley blue and black in line on it. i had all the steering parts replaced in nov. new tires in a year and a half and this is the second time i've done the brakes in 30k miles. im ready to cut my losses and get a new truck. what should i do

 

Is it cracked? If it is, you can get it fixed. I'd keep it, personally. Sounds like you've done a lot of work and if it were me I'd keep it.

 

First determine where the coolant is coming from. Front leaks are hoses, possible head gasket, or the water pump, not the block. On the passenger side near the rear of the block, a few inches above the pan rail, 53 blocks crack, usually 4 or five inches long running front to back. If the block is cracked, the block is bad.

A quick guess I would go for the water pump. They make two pumps, one has a hole for drainage to the left of the shaft, the other only has a vent that is a depression of the casting where it bolts to the block so will look like the gasket is leaking.

sometimes the head gasket on these gets a leak below the thermostat. In this case the gasket would have to be replaced, it will keep leaking more and more. Some real Bars Leaks will hold it off for a while. Don't use any other leak sealer. If you use Bars Leaks in it, keep a check on the radiator cap where the overflow goes to the tank. It will try to seal the overflow. Just keep it cleaned out.

Hope this helps, hard to diagnose from internet.

 

thanks for the help, i will do some more work trying to find the exact location.

 

Most crack behind the Tranny Heat Exchanger on the passenger side of the block. I've got a 53 with a 145K on it, and knock on wood, but no signs of cracking yet.

 

Hey..that's a tough one...there is a article about the 53 blocks on the net..just put in Cummins 53 block..there is also another article on how to fix it..same site..maybe this'll help you to decide...

 

this one is good and has pics




http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins...NewInformation

 

If you want one or two to experiment with, I have a couple. I wouldn't fool with one and take the chance that I had to change it again. I have on without the #53 on it. Was ground off before I bought the engine.