Bill, the 53 is about an inch high and can be on either side of the block or both (as in the case of my 01).


This should give you some interesting reading:

53 Block FAQ and Information

You will have to crawl under the truck to see it.

 

yes, crawl under the truck and look on the drivers side of the block, right underneath the powersteering pump, right above the oil pan on the very front of the block, if it says 53, then you have a 53 block. Some of the worse 53 blocks(aka the thinest castings) had a 53 on both front corners of the block, however, if you have one of those, then you need to get a replacement, because those WILL crack, again the ones with the 53 on both sides of the block is the thinnest of all 53 block, at least according to cummins website and TDR.com

 

My 53 cracked on the backside.

 

let me guess, on the passenger side around the number 3,4 or 5 cylinder? thats where 99 percent of those that actually crack, crack at

 

Well, it was at the back. They said it was the cam plug, but if it was, why would they replace the whole block....

 

it doesnt make any since, my guess is that you got screwed, if it was only a cam plug, then all that would take is pulling the head, front cover, cam and pump, pull the old plug, hone it and re-installed new one and rest of stuff, now it can be done in the truck but its easier to do after pulling the motor, my other guess is that for warranty purposes, they may be required by dodge and or cummins to replace any 53 blocks, i know cummins was replacing them free if the truck had less then 150k on it.

 

4500 miles they did it under warranty.