Lions and Tigers and Brazilian 53 Blocks

[Greenlee]

All my attempts to explain the 53 casting number from Brazil that affected about 100,000 blocks that are prone to crack under stress of towing seems to have failed. I have been trying to sell my 1999 Cummins but one questions that shuts down the sale is the 53 Casting Number. The original owner towed a bumper pull RV from coast to coast for the first 150K miles, NO CRACKS. I have explained that it's not just the 1999s that cracked but some 12 valves with 53 blocks and 24 valves all the way to 2001. Some blocks that cracked were 54 castings and 55 castings according to what's online. Maybe there has been more castings, who knows? Are all 53s subject to cracking? If that's true then most second generation trucks are going to crack under towing conditions. is there any light at the end of the RAM TUNNEL? Is there any information out there that I can share with a buyer that would put the 53 casting to rest? Any advice at all on the 53 block castings that would help me? Here is my add for my truck, I forgot to add that the Carrier Bearing was new and a few new parts that I couldn't remember without pulling out the mountain of receipts and going through them again. I didn't mention that the original owner towed a RV out to Oregon, Florida, Utah, and other places.          ADD: 

This Dodge is in excellent condition inside and out with 206,355 miles. Paint is great. It's a SLT Laramie. I am selling my truck because I can no longer drive it. It has a camper top included with locking rear window and tailgate. It is accident free in excellent condition inside and out. The dash is perfect. Everything works as it should. It gets great fuel mileage approx 18 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Fill ups for the past 2 years. I have the maintenance records since new and my records since 2013 when I bought it. A/C is ice cold; power driver seat; heated power mirrors; sun visors with vanity mirrors/lights; premium factory radio; cruise control; no tears in the seats. Head liner excellent. Work done: upper and lower ball joints; gas shocks; ceramic disc brakes; bearings; rotors; new shoes; HD Aluminum radiator; new hoses; new alternator; water pump; sensors replaced for reliability; rebuilt turbo (Midwest Turbo) with upgraded compressor wheel; high torque starter; Fluidamper ($400) replaced the harmonic balancer; rebuilt ECM; fuel lines rebuilt; Interstate batteries; Blue Chip VP44 injector pump; Raptor 150 lift pump; new draw straw in the fuel tank. It cranks immediately. It is a strong running Dodge Diesel that would make a great Hot Shot Truck or a family truck for towing. I have a new Borgeson Hi Flow power steering pump ($195) and a new spare in the box PureFlow Raptor 150 ($400) frame mounted lift pump but no brackets, Call Eric at Vulcan Diesel performance online for brackets. Simply put I am physically not able to finish what I have started. It does not use oil and is seldom below a half quart low at 7,000 miles. You buy USED and begin fixing what they don't tell you, I have $20K in parts and Labor, The BUYER is way ahead of the game buying this truck. 2 items don't work, passenger side overhead light and overhead trip computer. The Bezel at the steering wheel has a crack that I put epoxy on. I've put 140 miles on it since August of 2018. GREAT DEAL

I don't see a big deal with this truck, I think it would have already cracked by now, am I not thinking straight on this? Thanks for the help

[dripley]

The 53 block is a big red flag to folks that dont know that all of them do not crack. Yours is most likely safe from what I have read. But it would still make me think.What are you asking for it?

[wil440]

I bought a 98.5 24v with a 53 block a  year january,only done 155k miles, no cracks, no water marks anywhere on the block and as from Saturday it's going to be towing 9klbs plus a lot and if it cracks it cracks, it's auto so I have much more to worry about than a 53 block as already asked how much $$

[Greenlee]

17 hours ago, dripley said:

The 53 block is a big red flag to folks that dont know that all of them do not crack. Yours is most likely safe from what I have read. But it would still make me think.What are you asking for it?

I'm sorry DRipley, I thought I put that in, $11,000.00. I started thinking about it last night and decided to just drop the price to sell it. This way if any cracks appeared down the road the lower price would make up for the sale. I don't know what a good bottom line would be. I'm tired of dealing with it. One thing about it is a lot of good parts have been put on that the new owner will not have to worry about. It's about half and half what my brother put in it and what I put in it. I thought if you had a set of engine serial numbers or maybe VIN number that was above a certain range you were good to go. This truck towed a RV up until the time I bought it in 2013. I would have thought it would have cracked by now if it was going to. Surprising to see that the 53 casting can be found in some 2002 Dodge Ram trucks, and think of the school buses and farm equipment and other vehicles that all had 53 blocks. I thought I saw where there were some 55 castings that cracked from Mexico as well. 

24 minutes ago, wil440 said:

I bought a 98.5 24v with a 53 block a  year january,only done 155k miles, no cracks, no water marks anywhere on the block and as from Saturday it's going to be towing 9klbs plus a lot and if it cracks it cracks, it's auto so I have much more to worry about than a 53 block as already asked how much $$

Sorry again, I have it listed for $11,000.00. Mentioned to Mr. dripley that maybe I should just drop the price, I'm already taking a big hit. I started out at $13,750.00 and decided it was too much. Now I'm at $11K but I will still try and work with a buyer. I feel the same way, if it breaks I fix it and go on about my business, end of story. 

[kzimmer]

I don't want to offend, so take this with a grain of salt, but if you need that much out of it, it might be best to keep it. I don't think you'll get in the ballpark of your asking price.

 

Edit: If you do, let me know, because I'm selling my truck, haha.

Edited May 30, 2019 by kzimmer

[01cummins4ever]

I don’t think you are being unreal on your asking price as in your description, without seeing the truck though it’s hard to say. As far as the 53 block goes I agree if it’s going to crack it would have by now especially 20 years old and 200k miles.

But still I would not advertise the 53 block unless they ask, hang in their the right buyer will come along sometime even if you have to sit on it awhile or come down a little more, even 10k ain’t a bad price for a 20 year old truck with 200k on it.

 

One thing I’ve learned on selling used vehicles is to not over glorify it just list it for what it is and let it go from their, don’t volunteer information unless they ask,  but I’m not much of a salesman either. 

 

Another thing is to look and see what other similar trucks are going for in your area and go from their.  

[wil440]

4 hours ago, 01cummins4ever said:

I don’t think you are being unreal on your asking price as in your description, without seeing the truck though it’s hard to say. As far as the 53 block goes I agree if it’s going to crack it would have by now especially 20 years old and 200k miles.

But still I would not advertise the 53 block unless they ask, hang in their the right buyer will come along sometime even if you have to sit on it awhile or come down a little more, even 10k ain’t a bad price for a 20 year old truck with 200k on it.

 

One thing I’ve learned on selling used vehicles is to not over glorify it just list it for what it is and let it go from their, don’t volunteer information unless they ask,  but I’m not much of a salesman either. 

 

Another thing is to look and see what other similar trucks are going for in your area and go from their.  

Agreed.... concentrate on the good points and don't offer info on the block unless asked. 

[NIsaacs]

12 hours ago, Greenlee said:

 and think of the school buses and farm equipment and other vehicles that all had 53 blocks.  

 

 

The issue with Dodge is the placement of the motor mount, it is on the sidewall of the block where it is thin. Other equipment used a bellhousing mount. Automatic trucks are not as prone to cracking as standards.

 

My '01 has a 56 block but I still cringe when I have to launch a heavy load uphill or in soft ground.

[Mopar1973Man]

Not all 53 blocks will crack as @cajflynn about his 1.3 million mile 53 block and hauling boats.

 

 

[Dmaney]

My 99 had 300k on it with a 53 block and no crack issues when I sold it. Lots of heavy towing in the 220k I put on it, previous owner idk what they used it for. I think people get a little bent out of shape over the 53's. If it's not rusty your price isn't out of line in my opinion. Best of luck!

[Dieselinmyblood]

I struggle to respond to this because I have a sneaking suspicion that someone switched gauge clusters on this truck but I have a confirmed 53 block with unconfirmed 327xxx miles on it . My issue with the mileage is that outside of the electrical mess I’m dealing with, this engine is flawless. No cracks, no and I mean I will post a video, NO BLOW BY. Operating temperature for several hours, pull the cap and my first gen with 137xxx and mega cab with 150xxx have more blow by. 

[Greenlee]

On ‎5‎/‎30‎/‎2019 at 4:49 PM, kzimmer said:

I don't want to offend, so take this with a grain of salt, but if you need that much out of it, it might be best to keep it. I don't think you'll get in the ballpark of your asking price.

 

Edit: If you do, let me know, because I'm selling my truck, haha.

No offence taken at all from anyone, if I can't seek advice here regardless if it's negative or positive then there is no point asking. Maybe it's just me but I have never bought a single vehicle with the exception of a 64 Dodge Polara slant six and a 1975 Honda 2-Door Accord 5 speed that you didn't have to dump some or a pile of money into? Looking at the list of all the work that's been done and knowing that all the receipts are included to back it up makes me believe that someone out there would see a great deal. If you buy a truck like mine say for $8,000.00 get it home and start looking close at what needs to be done it soon adds up. Maybe you noticed some issues after driving it for a few weeks and it leaves you on the side of the road. What could possibly go wrong? Maybe the VP44, Lift Pump, Alternator, Water Pump, ECM, Radiator, Carrier Bearing, Shocks, Brake Pads, Rotors, Wheel Bearings, Harmonic Balancer, Leaking Fuel lines at the TEE, Draw Straw, Wheel Bearings, etc., and who in there right mind offers a brand new Bergeson High Volume Power Steering Pump with the New Hose Set included and an extra Raptor 150 Frame Mount Lift Pump with wiring harness but no brackets (See Eric at Vulcan Diesel, Around $47.00). I guess I need a session with a shrink because my thought process sure hasn't worked. I was going to lower the price but now I'm thinking of leaving it alone or increasing it. It runs great, very strong clean all the way around but it's just a truck that is 20 years old. Can't blame anyone for passing it up even if it would save money in the long run. Having the records doesn't mean a thing, it's the bottom line price. Funny thing is I know I'll come off the price. I hate trying to sell cars or trucks and I agree that maybe it's best to put the pictures out there and a price and that's it. No records or details at all. I have seen some trucks going for $13,000 but they are all jacked up with big tires and a line of all the hot rod parts put on them. Most Dodge Ram Diesels 2nd Gens in what I consider horrible shape, body damage, paint, tires, interior shot and so on are asking $6,000 to $8,000 and a few are sitting at $4,500. Don't know if they run or not. I've got to keep the Faith and believe sooner or later it will sell to the right person. I drove it yesterday, again with braces I hit the brake pedal 3 times and missed the accelerator pedal more than that, I can't feel the bottom of my feet but raising the steering wheel up all the way I can glance down at the pedals but I still don't get my feet in the right positions and I think I could easily cause an accident. I really hate to sell it and I know it will make someone very happy once they drive it. Anyway thanks for all the replies, I tried to put them all together but it didn't work for me. I guess that's why I was a welder fabricator for 40 plus years and not a car salesman. I'd post some pictures but not sure how that works or how to do it. 

[dripley]

I built a CFA over on Airport blvd there in Mobile several years back. Wish I was still there I would come by a take a look.

[Dieselinmyblood]

Hey,

not sure what platform your selling it on but broaden that aspect of it . My 2nd gen is a new purchase for me and I just got lucky enough to be local to the sale and if the guy was being honest I beat out about 4 other people from out of town . Might be hard to swallow but 1st gens are classics and our second gens (wether 12 or 24 valve) are becoming classics as well . Someone will understand and hunt down a truck like that . My dad has an incredible 99 4x4 extended cab long bed with 6 speed . He got it 3 years old and maintained it like he taught me to maintain my trucks and it currently has 223000 miles . Gaurenteed he could sell it for 10k right now . Where are you located? I’m in Texas and these trucks move faster then you can blink . Again like I said I was lucky to get mine (which is a 53 block). I’ve been working on my 1st 2nd and 3rd gen collection for a long time. I’ve had the 1st and 3rd for years . Like everyone has been saying just hit the highlights and I would broaden your sales area because if you haven’t seen it I will tell you first hand . People are flying in from across the states to buy these trucks 

Edited June 6, 2019 by Dieselinmyblood

[Mopar1973Man]

The salvage yards are selling the Dodge Ram trucks before they even hit the dirt. I've try a few different times and always had troubles getting lucky to even see a Dodge Ram in the salvage yards.

[Greenlee]

4 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

The salvage yards are selling the Dodge Ram trucks before they even hit the dirt. I've try a few different times and always had troubles getting lucky to even see a Dodge Ram in the salvage yards.

I have tried that as well, people are waiting at the ones around Mobile, AL yards that are U Pull IT for parts of any kind. First things on the not running trucks is rip the dash out by any means available. If one is in running condition I'm certain it will go fast.

17 hours ago, dripley said:

I built a CFA over on Airport blvd there in Mobile several years back. Wish I was still there I would come by a take a look.

Do you remember where on Airport you worked?

[dripley]

27 minutes ago, Greenlee said:

Do you remember where on Airport you worked?

4707 Airport blvd. On the west side of univerisity blvd.

[Greenlee]

14 hours ago, Dieselinmyblood said:

Hey,

not sure what platform your selling it on but broaden that aspect of it . My 2nd gen is a new purchase for me and I just got lucky enough to be local to the sale and if the guy was being honest I beat out about 4 other people from out of town . Might be hard to swallow but 1st gens are classics and our second gens (wether 12 or 24 valve) are becoming classics as well . Someone will understand and hunt down a truck like that . My dad has an incredible 99 4x4 extended cab long bed with 6 speed . He got it 3 years old and maintained it like he taught me to maintain my trucks and it currently has 223000 miles . Gaurenteed he could sell it for 10k right now . Where are you located? I’m in Texas and these trucks move faster then you can blink . Again like I said I was lucky to get mine (which is a 53 block). I’ve been working on my 1st 2nd and 3rd gen collection for a long time. I’ve had the 1st and 3rd for years . Like everyone has been saying just hit the highlights and I would broaden your sales area because if you haven’t seen it I will tell you first hand . People are flying in from across the states to buy these trucks 

Located in Theodore, Alabama just a few miles west of Mobile AL. I have it listed on Autotrader, seems to be a waste of money. I listed it months ago with a simple add, no details or mention of records. No calls at all. When I first bought this truck in 2013 I paid a little under 10K at a lot. Drove it 250 miles and it all crapped out. The VP44 was shot and the lift pump was in the tank. It took me over 3 months to raise the money to buy the parts, didn't know anything about Cummins. Bought a Blue Chip Special X and a Raptor 100. Pretty pricy once I got started. As usual I didn't have a clue that this was going to happen. Talked to the car lot about it, famous reply, Sorry to hear that but you bought it "Sold As Is", good luck. My brother is the one who was restoring it, The money I put in it was necessary to get it back on the road. All the new parts and work that was done is All the PARTS and WORK the new owner will not have to be concerned with. Yes, there are still things that can go bad but if someone was selling a truck like this with all the records, mileage, and receipts of what's been done I would have jumped on it. That's just me thought, they say a sucker is born every minute and the car salesmen swing the doors wide open when they walk in. The little bit of horsepower from the VP44 Special X makes a huge improvement. This truck is not slow at all and pulls really strong. I'm considering dropping the price a little again just to sell it. It's not too often you have a solid 20 year old truck with a pile of money and parts that is clean outside and inside and runs as good as it gets. 

[wil440]

Is it 4x4 or 4x2.... sorry if I missed that but I have checked the thread a few times and couldn't see

[Greenlee]

5 minutes ago, dripley said:

4707 Airport blvd. On the west side of univerisity blvd.

Too bad I didn't know you from the forum at the time, We would have had you over for dinner. Know the spot well, Soup is delicious as well as the chicken. Great Christian Organization. Too bad the Airports are banning them because of being Christian. It has really gotten out of hand with the ungodly dems and liberals who hate this country and our military. God Bless the USA and our men and women in uniform.

Just now, wil440 said:

Is it 4x4 or 4x2.... sorry if I missed that but I have checked the thread a few times and couldn't see

It's 4x2 Quad Cab 5 speed short bed.

Well I just found the Choose Files, what I saw before was a URL??? Anyway this is what it looks like and is on Craigslist Mobile AL and Autotrader, both are running out so I'll have to renew the add.