53 block precautions?
 

Yes I have the dreaded "53 block". Although I don't plan on doing major modifications I am curious to know if any precautions should be taken. It would make sense that if you keep these motors running cooler you should have a better chance of not having the failure. I'm thinking a 160 degree fail safe thermostat. What else could I do to help keep it from cracking?

actually from what Ive read its not the tempature per say that causes them to crack. its the rapid heating of a cold block that can cause 53 blocks to crack. best way to keep them from cracking is to let the motor come up to operating temps prior to hauling heavy or driving hard with it, EX: not start it up and go driving down the road at 30 lbs of boost and full throttle.

Im not sure if having a colder t-stat will help it or not. I dont see it hurting anything either.
However, despite their reputation, less than 1 % of all 53 blocks crack. matter of fact, I have 3 "53" block trucks in my family, not one has cracked and 2 of them are modifiedto a good extent past stock levels :rocking:

what were the years for the 53 blocks?

The best advice I can offer is don't warm the engine up too quickly as said above. The 53 block is mostly found in '98 and '99 24 valve engines, I've heard rumors they have been found in '00 and '01 trucks as well. Try google searching "Cummins 53 block"

53 Block FAQ and Information

keep in mind, there were several casting numbers, best way to find out yours is to do what the article says and located the casting number, its an inch tall, not hard to find

if it is a 53 block it will be staring right at you on the bottom drivers side of the block, but there are 98-00 trucks that dont have the 53 block. the 53 block came from south america but there are 2 others 54 55 blocks that were made in mexico during the same time. and they do not have a casting number on the block. the 53 was the only one with a casting number. keep in mind though that the 54 55 blocks are very rare in the 98-99 trucks but they are out there.

Thanks guys, I understand I should not warm it up too quick, not add too many mods, nor get it too hot. But there is one constant variable that is bothering me and that is pulling heavy trailers up hill. So what can I do to keep coolant pressure low even under a load?:humm:

I think it's a hit and miss with the 53 casting. I got one out of a school bus with 300k on it with no cracks. I have another buddy who has one and beats the crap out of it! he just turns the key and drives off with his foot to the floor. He has 260k on his and no cracks. I've seen a lot of 53's with high K's and no cracks.

I've only seen one with a crack.

mods dont seem to affect the 53 block in terms of cracking, ive seen heavily modified 53 blocks pushing 800 hp and no cracks, I personally have only seen one 53 block crack, it was in a stock truck at it did so at 85,000 miles. if its gonna crack, most will crack before 100,000. if you want to put ur mind at ease, pull the freeze plug between cylinders 3 and 4 and use a digital dial caliper to measure the block thickness, according to research, only those with .253 thickness and thinner crack, .254 and its good to go.

As the post said above with the 53 blocks only having it casted in the block my 02 has inch tall 55 casted on the passenger side of block so i think 55 blocks have it casted on there also lol but i wanted to see what mine was after seeing this thread so i went and looked and it was there..:tu:

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

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:c:

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

Re: 53 block precautions?
 

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?:tttt:

Not in my neck of the woods :D

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)

my 01 with a big 53 on the passenger side has 185,000 I keep the coolant changed so it wont rot out from the inside. I do the easy warm up but have no fear of hammering it when I have too, I will drive this truck any where any time but I do have a cash stash to replace the VP when it pukes.

99 with 53 block and almost 209k