ya its just find in the right one for right price. not sure if the 2000 tho 02 blocks work with the 98 and 99.

 

2001 short bed
60k
NO towing involved.
modded very heavily.
No its not cracked.

 

I BOUGHT MY TRUCK IN NOVEMBER OF '09. IT HAD 167,000 MILES ON IT. I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE "53" BLOCK PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATLY I GOT 1. SOMEONE HAD DONE THE "LOCK N STICH. THIS IS JUST A BANDAID IN MY OPINION.WHERE THEY STOPPED THE STITCH, THE CRACK JUST CONTINUED TILL IT STRECHED THE LENGTH OF THE BLOCK. I HAD LOOKED AT THE "LOCK-N-STITCH" SITE. I LIKED THE BRACE IDEA, BUT MY ENGINE DIDN'T HAVE ONE.
LAST SATURDAY I DECIDED TO MAKE MY OWN BRACES, (3) AND PLACE THEM IN ALL THREE SOFT PLUG LOCATIONS. I WORK AT A MACHINE SHOP SO THE WHOLE JOB ONLY COST ME ABOUT 14 HOURS OF MY OWN TIME. THE THOUGHT WAS IF I COULD KEEP THE CRACK FROM OPENING , IT SHOULDN'T LEAK. I ALSO ADDED 'IRONTIGHT" BRAND SEALANT AND A 7 PSI CAP. I'VE BEEN RUNNING THE P--S OUT OF IT, SO FAR SO GOOD.
THIS WAS "MY" BANDAID 'TILL I CAN FIND A GOOD REPLACEMENT.
AS FOR THE BRACES, I FABRICATED AND MACHINED 3 IN ABOUT 4 HOURS (WITH THE USE OF OUR CNC MILL).$500.00 A PIECE IS TOO MUCH FOR 1

GOOD LUCK TO MY FELLOW "53" OWNERS.

 

BigBoy - Do you have pictures??

 

would you be willing to make a brace and sell it? I got a 53 with 214,000 on it and wanted a brace for it but im not paying 500 dollars for one! shoot me a pm!

 

DIESELWEASEL,

SEE MY ALBUM FOR PICS.

BIGBOY

 

Here's another good place to look, most are also listed on Ebay too Cummins Diesel Online Shop (#3/4)

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I have 3 friends, 2 with 1999's Farm work trucks- both cracked
1 1998-not cracked

 

well guys see youve opened up a forum some time ago about the notorious 53 block that some of us guys are dealing with but i have a 98.5 24v reg cab long bed 2wd cummins iv got 286,661 miles on it and shes still running strong and shes modded to right about 500 hp knock on wood she be fine !!

 

call this guy i buy from him from time to time on used engines and chassis parts he buys wrecked trucks and parts them out. 479-438-3205. hes got one right now out of a 01 HO truck non 53 block for 600.00 hes located in arkansas. he has other blocks as well that one i just know of right off hand as a good non 53.

 

if anyone is looking for a good deal on blocks, we will have the new 24v blocks coming, these will be the storm block as well.

E.R.D AROUND MID JULY

If you are in need very quick, I can tell you how to make a 12 vavle block work and fit your application, if anyone is interested, PM me.