Yeah, ive seen 54s and 56s casting numbers too.

 

my '99 is a non 53 block, but I did test drive one, then found the 53 and walked away.

 

i got a 53 block in mine and had the same worries but all you gotta do is let it warm up if its been sitting for hours and is cold out. modding the truck wont affect the block to crack and as said above if you got over 150k miles dont worry about it cause it would of cracked by 100k.

 

I've heard of some cracking @ 150,000 and some over 200,000 miles. Some say it is very unpredictable and could happen at any time. I hear you though. If it happens, it happens. Oh well I guess

 

I read in the diesel power mag last month that 53 blocks where i some of he 99 to 01 trucks only

 

Mine has one in, 98.5 with 216,000 miles

 

Drive it and don't worry about it. The only reason this is a "problem" is because of the Internet and how it makes it easy for people to complain about the problems. I've had 3 53 blocks in my family with zero issues. One had 175k one had 125k and dads is still rolling and hauling cattle all day every day with 345k on it. I'd be worried about a fuel pressure gauge and lift pump b4 anything else...

 

So the sky isn't falling?

 

Not in my neck of the woods

 

I know this thread is getting old but I'm new here and was wondering if a block girdle like the I/I gorilla girdle will prevent a #53 from cracking or at least help. If so I am getting one because $900 is a small price for peace of mind (compared to a new block and engine rebuild)