2001 5.9
 

I want to know everyone's opinion on a 53 block 24 valve. I'm thinking of buying one but I know they have some problems

I would check for a crack already there (then I wouldn't go for it) or if it has a couple hundred plus thousand miles it should be ok to purchase. I also have a 53 block and haven't had any issues with the cracking. I think most of the problems are hyped up and word of mouth made it into a worse issue than it really is. But if its low mileage you still run the chance of it cracking. Either way its a crap shoot, so good luck.

I have a '99 with 80,000 miles on it, about to receive it's THIRD engine!
The first two were 53s that cracked. I drove out of state to get a Mexican block this time.
HELL no I wouldn't run a 53! I don't care how many miles it has without cracking yet.