anyone been through the 53 cracked block yet? if so how many miles were on the truck when it cracked, and what was the truck used for Towing/racing.

im just courious because i just found that i have a "53" block

I've got the 53 block as well in my '97. I know of trucks that have been in the upper 700hp range with the 53 block with no problems, yet I have heard of trucks in the stock range with problems. Can't tell ya about miles or specific duty use. All I know is that it is a cr*p-shoot. Might try doing some searching on TDR or DTR. Should be enough info there on that to last you weeks!

dump it, My 96 has the cracks, Happened about at 145000. Im not even sure its a 53 block, but Im sure I have the cracks.

My 2000 had the 53 block,and I put 120,000 hard towing miles on it,and it never cracked,but I am sure it would have sooner or later so I traded it..
Cummins really dropped the ball on this one.

oh well if i crack the block it just gives me an excuse to build a fully built twin turbo cummins in it,

If I remember right when the 53 block cracked on my cousins truck it had over 100K and it cracked behind the injection pump. That same motor scored a piston before cracking the block.

Most of the cracking problems show up on the passenger side of the block,just below the the deck at the freeze plugs between cylinder 4,5,6. Some blocks on a bone stock have cracked at low mileage and some that have been turned up at 100,000 plus. You just never know.

John

I agree cummins dropped the ball, 300,000 mile motor shot at 145,000. But thats what you get, the block is made in Brazil. Wake up, there giving our jobs away. And were getting screwed in the process. Call it what you want but I have a cast iron block with cracks in it, and there is no accountability. You fill in the blanks!!!!

Lucky Me.......Recent Winner of the 53 Block Leak Lottery.

I bought the truck 2/16/04 from a used truck dealer, it had 104000 miles on it and is a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 5 speed standard 4x4.

Having been a OTR Truckdriver and put a good number of miles on Cummins Engines (1968 335, 1980 400, 1985 350 & 1989 400) I was looking forward to a good # of Miles on my Dodge. We pull a 9000 lb 5th Wheel camper and I was Loving the Power this truck has.

Now has 117000 on it and started to Leak (Seep) Last Sat.

Fortunately not Leaking bad so may have some time to work on getting a replacement used engine. (Not Another 53 Block)
My Son in Law has a Auto Repair Business and is looking at the possiblity of putting on a Resin Patch to stop the leak and buy some time. He's looking at Permatex<SUP>®</SUP> the Right Stuff<SUP>® </SUP><SUP>& </SUP>JB Cold Weld has anyone tried these?

http://freesites.cyberosis.net/walstib/1-15-05b.JPG

:confused:

Isn't the Right Stuff just a basic all-purpose quick drying RTV?

The side of my block looks like who did it and ran. I tried cast iron stick weld through the wheel well. Was not pleasant, not much material the work with, block was super thin in that area. And it leaked anyway. JB weld brushed on warm block several times& several applications on stop leak, I refuse to give up, that was about 30,000 miles ago. I add about 2 quarts a month.

The brazillian blocks are the good ones. Its the taco blocks that go bad. I had about as mean a setup as you could have at the time and at 150k it was still good.

You may want to look at this site http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm

Being the Proud Owner of a Leaky 53 block I have done quite a bit of research on the subject.

I seem to come to the Opposite conclusion......Brazil were the original Leakers not the Mexican ones.

guess I dont remember so good. Was sure the 53s were from mexico. I had two 53s. No problems to report. Yep your right. Time has deteriorated my memory. The mexican blocks dont have casting numbers. Something to remember. Jim Fulmer is pushing 800hp out of a 53.

Reply to TMaas

Yes it is and He is going to make a Sheetmetal patch to cover the crack and apply the Patch with the Right Stuff. He has done this to gas engines on the Timing Gear covers that had a Chain wear thru and leak oil. Also on Thermostat housings that were cracked.

Looks real familiar to me. My 99 BR3500 had the same thing happen at 78k,last Dec. and dealer and Dodge said they had never seen that before. Installed a new long block at no charge. Tech who did the job said it was the one of the cleanest engines he had ever had apart. Testament to Schaffers oil I guess,change at 6.5K intervals. Truck is company owned fleet service truck. This and an $800 vacuum pump is the only major repairs ever made on the truck.