53 blocked 12 valve

[98rammer]

98 12v without a 53 block here. i dunno, i worry about getting a 53 block. seen them last forever, and see some truck that have replacement motors. who knows.

[The patriot]

Originally Posted by JGK

Pictures of good and bad 53 block, courtesy of Piers.

The first 2 are of a bad block. In the first picture, the area Piers refers to looks like it might be just below the left freeze plug, almost hidden by the turbo or whatever in the foreground.

In the second, its obvious.

The third picture is a good block. It is painted, and unfortunately a bit blurry. I've requested a reshoot, which we'll post if available.

-Jay

Ahhhh, I knew we could count on Piers!!!!
Thanks a million!!!
Eric

[JGK]

Here are 2 more pictures. They are the same examples as my previous post but composed a little differently and the good block is easier to see here.

By the way, I believe the good block is a project motor PDR is working on. Check out the thead I just started where a picture is posted in the competition forum, or click this link.

-Jay

[Forrest Nearing]

thanks for the pics of good and bad 53's!

looks like my $250 short block has one of the "good" 53's!

Forrest

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I still have a question: Did Cummins use the same block for both 12 and 24 valves in 1998???

According to the link in my last post there are changes/differences on the 24-valve block, that would lead me to think they're not the same casting, but I am wondering if Cummins used the 24v block for the 12v in 1998?

Vaughn

[The patriot]

Thanks for posting the pics!
Just got out of the shower, but I think the urge it too great.
I gotta crawl under the truck for a while.
Eric

[rrl989]

Sure looks like they same deformity under the paint of the "good" block as well ??
Take a closer look...

Ron

[Dirtscience]

Guy's,

Thanks for all the pics and advise. I did not buy the truck and I am pretty sure someone got a good one. I just did not want to chance it. I was aware of some of the high HP 53's out there and that is part of what made me question the 53 12 valve as being the same as the 53 24Valve As pointed out in the pictures it looks like there is more to it than just having a 53 on it. I wish we could have a picture database of all broken blocks even non 53's to confirm this. My suspicion (though no expert) is its the way the casting looks is going to tell us more than the casting number. Those are some great pictures and explantions. I broke my leg march 28 so I'm out of the truck market for few weeks anyway. Thanks again for all the replies.

[Forrest Nearing]

Originally Posted by FF1063

Sure looks like they same deformity under the paint of the "good" block as well ??
Take a closer look...

Ron

nope... my 53 has nothing that looks like that on it...

you realize that that's not where they crack, right?

Forrest

[The patriot]

I have a "good" 53 block.
I had some suspicions that I did.
Whenever I saw how fast some of the 24 valvers warmed up(or read about it here), and with mine taking sometimes 5 miles on cold mornings(@ highway speed with the cover on it), I was thinking it had some more meat in it.
Eric

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by Forrest Nearing

nope... my 53 has nothing that looks like that on it...

you realize that that's not where they crack, right?

Forrest

Where do they crack ??

Anyone have pics of cracked 53s ??

[Sled Puller]

A few good shots here, of crack, and one method of repair.

http://www.locknstitch.com/RepairExamples.htm

[Signal73]

Heres Some more

[QWaller]

I am still interested to know if ANYONE has actually had or heard of a 12V engine with a cracked 53? Not just a "I knew of a guy at a rest area that had a brother with a cousin that had a cracked block".

BTW, I am the proud owner of a 12V 53. Still low miles though.

[Johnstra]

I've asked this exact question before. So far, I've never heard of a cracked 12V 53.
-john

Oh, and my truck is a 53 also.