Which would be the more desireable of the two blocks? a 55 block, or a block with just a 5 with some smaller #'s above it?? Both engines are in busses bound for the scrap yard, and I was given the oportunity to take one of them, I will be rebuilding one of these engines to replace the one in my truck (I have a cracked 53) I understand that the 53,54,55, blocks were all cast in Brazil, and the blocks that have a series of small numbers cast into the block were cast in Mexico, and I'm told the Mexican blocks are a little stronger. I've not heard of a block with just a 5 casting #
Can anybody shed any light onto this???

 

not real sure as long as you stay away from the 53 which you found out first hand, i read somethin on this a while back i THINK the 55 block is your strongest, we'll see if anybody else can shed some light on this

 

1. Brazilian Blocks are cast by a company named "TUPY" and are marked such. They are identified with cast evolution numbers. #53's are TUPY's. #54 and later evolutions were improved to correct the block issues that the 53's had.
2. Mexican Blocks were made by "Teksid" these blocks to my knowledge never had a problem with cracking, as they are heavier duty by trait, but they did follow the evolutions and got thicker. These blocks do not have the 2 digit "cast number" embossed on the side, instead a series of numbers that are unidentifiable to me. The Mexican blocks were rumored to even be harder to machine do to a harder cast overall, basically better quality in my opinion.

Brazilian Tupys always seem to outnumber Mexican blocks during the ISB's production probably about 8 to 1. So basically if there is a pattern number its Brazilian, if there is a series of small numbers its Mexican.

By the way the Mexican equivalent of a 56 pattern was the Heaviest ISB block of all. This means if you have a 2002 without a #56 on it and instead it has a series of numbers that are smaller and hard to identify, you got the the big boy!!!

 

Thanks!
So, I assume the block with the large 5 and the smaller #'s above it, is a Mexican TESKID block???

 

yes it is actually. btw, not all 53 blocks were junk, only a small percentage of them were, less then 1%, out of the 4 trucks we have, 3 are 53 blocks including my 500 dyno proven rear wheel hp monster with 250k on it and none have cracked. with that said, i too would find a different block if possible, better be safe then sorry right??? if you dont mind sharing how much does the junbkyard want for the blocks??

 

I'm getting this engine for free, belive it or not. I'm a fleet mechanic for a town fleet, and these two busses are bound for the scrapyard, since I need an engine, the boss's boss said I could have one for free!
I've found engines any where from 1K-3k bucks, look on Craigslist.com under auto parts, and do a search for "dodge cummins" I actually found a few great deals, like an engine, 5speed tranny, complete wiring harness, brake booster, turbo, VP44, all for $2500. the deal breaker was it was another 53 block. I know the failure rate for the 53 is very low, but it would be just my luck I put another 53 in my truck, and 6 months later it'd crack again!

 

cool, i wish i hadthat deal about the freebie

 

I agree 100%.. I am running one in my truck right now..

 

yeah, from what cummins said in there press release a while back bout the blocks, only the 53 castings with a water jacket thinksness below .254 were cracking, most of there were early production blocks and less then 1 percent would crack. the way to check the thickness is to pull the freeze plug and use a digital diacaliper to gauge the thickness.

 

I am kind of new to this. Can someone tell me where to look for the numbers? Can you see them with the engine still in the truck?

BB