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Cracked Block

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Well anyways, my 53 block has been cracked for a couple of years now and growing steadily.Iv'e been shopping around and here is what I think I will do. my truck has 140,000 miles on itso I think the best route to take is to get a new block and have all my stuff put on it.The mech said they will do the head and do anything needed while it is in the shop. I just wanna do it once and do it right. Looking at right at 8 grand does this sound like a good number ?? I do not want to put a junkyard engine in my baby.Luke

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If that includes all parts including the block and labor at a reputable shop I think its a bit high but I am not sure what labor rates in the area are or what flat rate time is to R&R and rebuild is. I would guess in the 40 hour range.How much is a new block?

I also have a cracked block and have found new long blocks for around $6k. I know there's installation labor costs but to end up with a rebuilt instead of new sounds a little high. What kind of warranty are they offering?

Well anyways, my 53 block has been cracked for a couple of years now and growing steadily.

Iv'e been shopping around and here is what I think I will do. my truck has 140,000 miles on it

so I think the best route to take is to get a new block and have all my stuff put on it.

The mech said they will do the head and do anything needed while it is in the shop. I just wanna do it once and do it right. Looking at right at 8 grand does this sound like a good number ??

I do not want to put a junkyard engine in my baby.

Luke[/quote

There is a class action lawsuit that will pay you $500(not much) A new block from frieghtliner $1500,gaskits,rings,seals,bearings $1000,Head work $400 Then your labor:spend:

Have you contacted a Cummins dealer to ask them if Cummins with split the cost with you? They may work with you on this and the price may be a bit less than you are not looking at but it will be done by a Cummins dealer mechanic and shop........for what that's worth. An entire new short block will cost you in the $12,000 range.

I jest got a post card from RAM on the 53 block. So get a hold of them. GOOD LUCK

I jest got a post card from RAM on the 53 block. So get a hold of them. GOOD LUCK

So did I. However I believe I checked once before and I didn't have a 53...even so nearly 300k and it hasn't leaked yet.
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Well here's the deal. I live in california so naturally everything is more money. I checked a few other places and the 8 g was right about middle of the road. for the 8 g I will get a new block, pistons, rings, gaskets etc machine work, head redone all put back together and installed etc.One place wanted 7500 for less work. remaned short block and my stuff installed with no head work. another place wanted 9500 just for a long block not including labor, another 2 grand. Cummins did not want to deal with me. So I'll keep you posted when I get my truck backLuke

Well here's the deal. I live in california so naturally everything is more money. I checked a few

other places and the 8 g was right about middle of the road. for the 8 g I will get a new block, pistons, rings, gaskets etc machine work, head redone all put back together and installed etc.

One place wanted 7500 for less work. remaned short block and my stuff installed with no head work. another place wanted 9500 just for a long block not including labor, another 2 grand.

Cummins did not want to deal with me. So I'll keep you posted when I get my truck back

Luke

Why did'nt cummins want to deal with you? Call a local Frieghtliner dealer,(DON'T tell them it's for a Dodge Pickup),rather give them your engine#,ask for a price on a block,Overhaul kit,short block,long block.Why do you need new pistons?Did you read my post above? :shrug:

--- Update to the previous post...

Well here's the deal. I live in california so naturally everything is more money. I checked a few

other places and the 8 g was right about middle of the road. for the 8 g I will get a new block, pistons, rings, gaskets etc machine work, head redone all put back together and installed etc.

One place wanted 7500 for less work. remaned short block and my stuff installed with no head work. another place wanted 9500 just for a long block not including labor, another 2 grand.

Cummins did not want to deal with me. So I'll keep you posted when I get my truck back

Luke

You told them this was in a Dodge truck,Right? Always call with engine# until you build repoir with you cummins dealer.:smart:
  • 4 weeks later...
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Got my truck back yesterday from the shop. Boy Howdy !! it sure feels great knowing that I am a past having a cracked 53 block. After not having my dodge for 1 month I was smiling like a kid at Christmas driving it home.:hyper::hyper::hyper:

Awesome! I'm finally getting rid of my 53 and can't wait to get my truck back. I can completely understand the relief of not having to constantly refill the water (gave up on antifreeze a few months ago - not cold here in southern Arizona).

Just curious but is there a specific defect in a "53" block? how do you identify you have one ?

Yes, what years or engine serial numbers are affected and where is the "53" cast into the block?

http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm http://www.cumminsdieselspecs.com/cummins-53-block.html http://forum.mopar1973man.com/threads/2369-53-block-article I recently read about the 53 block. I was freaked out cause I went and checked one night for that infamous number and low and hold, I have the 53 block! Did a little more investigating another day and come to find out, I do not have the crack! :hyper: My truck sits at almost 200k miles on it. So I'm a lucky SOB! Hopefully my block is the type with the thicker jacket. Cause when I bought this truck, I highly doubt it was babied to the point of preventing the crack. When I do my spring coolant flush, I'm gonna measure the jacket and see if I'm the lucky guy to have the thicker jacket. Some points to remember: - 53 block is susceptible to having a thin water jacket on the passenger side below the freeze plug. Babying the engine until the engine warms up will help keep the potential for cracking to a minimun or prevent it. Don't romp on the pedal until its warmed up or you could cause a crack to occur or further an existing one. - Lock 'n stitch is a temporary fix. The ultimate solution is to replace the block that does not develop cracks. - I have seen some posts that say other blocks have had cracks as well. So it is not JUST the 53 block, but just more rare to occur.

:pant: If mine goes that long, I will be :hyper:!

It seems like the consensus on the forums is:

1. Less than 1% of the 53 blocks cracked

2. Its a 50-50 chance, you win some, you lose some, you live to fight another day

3. Less than 5-10% cracked

4. IF your water jacket is thicker than 0.250" you won the lottery and won't develop a crack.

ME? I lean with the #1 and #4. I think the way it goes is that less than 1% had water jackets that were thinner than 0.250"...

It was reported 100k blocks were produced. 1% of 100k is 1k blocks. That would have been enough to get that CAL going. Especially if you look at the frenzy people had when their prius' just all the sudden accelerated for no reason. The CEO for Toyota had to stand in front of CONGRESS! :banghead:

And I guess the news of the 53 is out. In trying to find me a new/used motor, my mechanic is only finding 53s for sale. Still looking in the southwest if anyone has any information.

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