I'm thinking about trading in my 98 1/2 ton for a 3/4 Cummins, and getting the lowest payments possible (Still in school). I'm gonna hopefully start a lanscaping buisness soon, so im gonna need a diesel. It's most likely gonna be a 12V and need info on what to look for when test driving and just overall what to stay away from. What yrs was the 53 Block and how do I identify what block it has? Thanks for all info.

 

When I was first shopping for a truck I wanted a 12v but wanted one completly stock and a 5sp the only ones I found that were completly stock were auto's so I ended up with a 99 24v 5sp. If you plan on doing anything mod wise or even haul alot with the truck I would by a standard or plan on doing a few up grades as soon as you buy it if it is a auto. Personally I will only buy a completly stock truck even stock exhaust you dont want to buy a problem. Ask to see any reciepts on recent work done to the truck when I bought mine they had records of everything even rotates and balances.

the 53 on the block if I remember right is on the front drivers side of the block but some people have it on the passenger side if you dont see anything then you good. If it is a 53 block and you still want the truck look for any coolant leaks. I have a 53 block and really not to worried about it most of the people I have seen that have problems with the block cracking live farther up north where its colder. From what I have read the cause of the block cracking is from not properly letting the truck warm up then getting on the road and ******* on it, not to sure how true that is just what I have read.

Thats all I can think of right now im sure some more people will chime in a give their advice

 

I was in the market for a new truck at around the beginning of this year. I found the truck I currently have now, bone stock. Except the rather high mileage (265k) the truck looked completely stock. Truck has not done me wrong since I got it though.

 

The 53 block was cast in mexico for low hp applications (agriculture water pumps and the like) so it wasn't poured as strong I don't believe.

 

i am going to have to correct you on this one the 53 blocks were cast by TUPY in brazil the 53s were the problem, the later evolution 54 blocks cast by TUPY were fine

the mexican blocks were cast by Teksid and did not have a large 2 digit casting number on the side of the block, they had a series of small numbers, they were a stronger cast block and heavier duty and none had any known problems, they like the brazilian blocks, they also did get thicker as the evolution went on so the latest ones (the equivilent of a brazilian 56) the 2002's with a series of small numbers on the side (instead of a large 56) were the best cast blocks of them all

 

I was close...had the origins wrong. thanks for the correction.