53 block

[dieselmania]

ok, i know about the #53 block, now what? i have about 143k on odometer and want to start adding performance parts, but how far can i go before something happens or should i get another block? eventually, i know that it will come out, bcuz plans are for drag racing, any suggestions.

 

[hummin cummins]

It's winter you might as well change it now. Beats doing it at the beginning of next season!

 

[MD-LUCKY]

Some crack.

Some survive in 10 second race trucks.

I wouldn't replace it before it cracks... Worry about it if/when it happens.

 

[Tate]

I'd say leave it till it cracks. It might never crack, which means you won't have spent hundreds of dollars for nothing.

 

[Devon E]

500 thousand on my 99 53 block no crack and it aint had an easy life

 

[displacedtexan]

Another for leave it and don't worry. Maybe look for a cheap block you can shove in a corner and have ready to go just in case.

 

[SHughes]

i make 800 on fuel with 175,000 on my 53 block

 

[HIGH TECH RAM]

my 53 block has 329 on the clock. No cracks and it also takes a beating.

 

[Sticky]

224k...53 block..440hp daily driver..no problems yet knock on wood...

 

[SHughes]

my theory, flawed as it may be, is...if it ain't cracked by now, it ain't gonna

 

[Bobcat698]

275k on 98 Daily Driver, 53 block, no crack.. probably not going to crack.
125k on 99 VP44 Pulling truck. No Crack and it got beat quite a bit this year.
300k+ on 98 block I will be using next year in my puller.. Probably will be filled though. If I don't fill it, and it cracks and starts to leak coolant, I just won't run coolant in the block.

If you can find it, there is some good reading on the 53 blocks on TDR etc. If you can examine the surface of the block where they usually crack, you can tell if you have a "Good" 53 or a bad one. They aren't all junk.

 

[zstroken]

I know of a 53 block that had 500K+ on it. No crack, was used for a puller in a 3.0 truck, and cracked the first season IIRC.

 

[Bobcat698]

One of Terry Martins first mod trucks had a 53 block in it!

 

[not enoughsmoke]

Every 53 block that cracked that I have seen done it before 100k miles after that milestone I wouldn't worry about it

 

[odieub]

i sold one for a moc up block that was a 98 12v 53 that had 667k on it.

 

[12valve]

i had my 53 block fixed, its about a month now, still holding up fine!

 

[Sledpuller]

150,000 CRACK, Lock and stich, CRACK a year later, seep..spider web...

They are all junk, the few on here that have decent miles got lucky.

I wouldn't waste money on a crank,pistons or a cam, thats for sure, but play externally until it cracks.

Cummins and Dodge should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[CL2000]

Most of them I have seen or heard of cracking crack around 180k.

 

[jacoustics]

Mine cracked at 156k

 

[hummin cummins]

Mine cracked at 70k