53 Block

[RockinRam96]

I searched for a few minutes and didn't find anything, but I imagine it has been talked about extensivly on the forum.

I cleaned my motor up enough today and found out that it is in fact a 53 block. My question is, are some of the casings better than others. This motor has around 210,000 rough, hard miles on it. I know the kid that had it before me beat the piss out of it. And the block has yet to crack. They generally crack below the freeze plugs on the turbo side correct? And the only flaw in the casting is where that water jacket is, no where else on the motor, correct?

I will post pictures in a minute. Any insight is greatly appreciated

 

[RockinRam96]

Here they are!

 

[ChrisNickerson]

i have a 53blk to, if you got 210k on it and you beat the piss out of it all the time and still no crack i wouldnt be worried. they are located right where you said. don't beat on it while it is cold and tow heavy sh!t. sometimes its just a luck thing also. Dont worry to much about it

chris

 

[RockinRam96]

Yeah thats what I thought after reading different articles about it. I just wasnt sure if some were prone to crack and if some weren't.

Well the kid that owned it before me tortured the ting pretty bad. I am working on it for a workstock puller. When I move up to 2.6 I am hoping to have a 12 valve anyways.

Thanks Man.

 

[LiftdDodge]

Where is the number on the block located?

 

[LReiff]

Google "53 block" and you will find all the info you desire.

 

[Diehard Ram]

My 2000 has almost 255,000 on it and no crack yet (nock on wood). Some are good and some are bad. Thats just how it is. I think there was more trouble with the early ones than the late ones.

 

[Limited]

I had 175k on my silver 99' 53 block with no cracks. Sled pulled it about a dozen times and beat on it quite a bit. My current 99' is also a 53, guy I bought it from was not easy on it and now its now at around 550 with no crack. 113k on it.

 

[memphisrain]

I just picked up a 2001 with a 53 block. It has 313k on it, and been worked it's whole life. No cracks so far. Took a gamble on it, hope it holds.

mR

 

[DieselWeasel]

The crack issue only affects like 15%-20% of the 53s ever built...

I have a 53 myself 190k turning a lot of horses, tows, driven hard, shes held together so far.

However I now that i said that who knows.... EEK!

 

[dsldoug]

We have delt with a lot of 53 block trucks, we only see about 2 of them cracked a year. It dosent seem to matter how much you abuse it, as long as it doesent get low on coolant. Every 53 block that I have seen that was cracked had just had some form of recent cooling system service (water pump, radiator, coolant flush, etc.). Keep an eye on your coolant level, and use a vacuum tool to fill the antifreeze and you should have no problems.

 

[5.9cummins06]

I have a '99 12V that came out of a school bus, just found out that its actually a 53 block, I never even put 12V and 53 together.....there is no crack yet, only 80,000 miles. The plan was to build a sled puller out of it, kinda scared to now, how are those blocks if they are filled? Should I get away from it?

 

[madmikeismad]

I also have a 53 with 160k on it. 40k of really hard miles, with a little towing here and there. Like mentioned. Just make sure coolant system is good, and make sure its up to temp before beating on it.

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