(99) Cummins “53” block

[@mrmped1]

I had a 53 block crack at 150,000 miles. I put a 56 block in. I was looking into putting the block at an angle, pulling the freeze plugs and filling it with concrete across that side up to the freeze plugs. (This concrete is designed for this) but they recommended 30+ days to fully cure. I still think it's a good ideal. The second ideal I hade was to tear the block down heat up in an oven to around a 1000* , weld it and spray arch the outside to thicken the whole area, but decided it was cheaper to start over. I wish you had found the weight difference., I was told that it was close to a 100 lbs. I was also told that thes block were also known to crack between the cam gallery and the water jacket, this is what ultimately made my decision to replace.

[@Americafirst7]

I’ve a got a 1999 and mines unmarked

[@lind9099we]

There was also a block made in Mexico that was used in the 2002 trucks that is thicker than the 56 block this block doesn't have an identifiable casting number I have one in my 2002 truck that is what i would be looking for as a replacement for your 53 block good luck with your truck.

[@tdm8817]

If the Mexican blocks are not marked with a number how do you identify them? And this wasn’t outa my pickup, buddys pickup we did years ago

[@nsboost]

@@tdm8817 I’d imagine the fact they have no numbers would be the identifying characteristic

[@methanial73]

Maybe the made in Mexico identification on the door sill would give it away? 🤔

[@ashtonbatterson5309]

​@@nsboost😂😂

[@methanial73]

Where was incoming inspection when they received these blocks/engines?

[@Americafirst7]

Mines a 99 with no casting marks

[@allenrhodes]

the best solution ive seen to fix them comes from sled pullers is to shave an 1/8 in off the fins on the waterpump.

[@tdm8817]

Maybe that works for them but they only need the engine to work for 15 seconds at a time. But sounds like a terrible idea if your actually going to drive the pickup.

[@allenrhodes]

@@tdm8817 thats not so true theres a guy that has a page theFumminsPage that hauls heavy and has over 500k on his 53 block

[@tdm8817]

@@allenrhodes and there definitely are people out there that have a lot of miles on a 53 block without problems but I know I don’t want one in my pickup

[@miguelbarrientos7478]

Mine has a little #23 on the driver side. Is that good or bad block??

[@tdm8817]

I think most all of them have the #23 on them I don't know what that casting means

[@nsboost]

Lock n stitch for the win. That would have been the way to do it.

[@tdm8817]

Lock n stich is good but to me if the block is the problem the correct solution is to replace the block

[@nsboost]

@@tdm8817 sure… if you have money to waste on a POS 2nd Gen. lock n stitch and send it. Otherwise you’re putting more money into the truck than the damn thing is worth. Only reason it’s even worth fixing at this point is inflation. Everything is so expensive these truck have value again. Otherwise.. it would be crush it and move on!

[@tdm8817]

@@nsboost to you maybe, to me it makes much more sense to keep my second gen on the road rather than spend 80 grand on a new pickup that I don't even want. I don't care what resale value is as I will never sell it.

[@nsboost]

@@tdm8817 I have a 2002 with the unmarked black (Mexican block?) and just bought a 14’ 3500. Honestly.. I love the 02, but I’ll never drive it again. The 6.7 is a beast. Only downside is the trans. Everything else is amazing.

[@tdm8817]

@@nsboost well that's a shame, should sell the 02 then. To someone like me those are very sought after.

[@chadgreen3688]

I just bought a 1999 with 86,000 miles but it has a 53, should I dumb it or keep it?

[@tdm8817]

I can’t make that decision for ya but I personally would keep it, just don’t overheat it or put some insane tuner on it. And if it dose crack the block I’d just put a new block in it, a dodge with under 100,000 miles is a rare thing theses days

[@chadgreen3688]

@@tdm8817 no rust either was a southern truck

[@tdm8817]

@@chadgreen3688 then if it were me I’d never get rid of it, I’m also a big sucker for the second gens tho, absolutely love those pickups.

[@Basshead1]

What about no casting

[@tdm8817]

I haven't heard anything bad about the ones that have no casting marks

[@Basshead1]

@@tdm8817 okay sweet I just bought a 2nd Gen yesterday it’s a 2002 no casting

[@jorgemontefusco650]

Less talk and more work.

[@tdm8817]

Your on the wrong channel for that, I do lots of talking