53 blocked 12 valve

Dirtscience · 03-26-2005, 01:43 AM

I have found what I had considered to be my dream truck. 1998 12V,Short bed, quad cab, 5spd, 4x4. Only problem is, it is a 53 block. Do these 12 valve 53’s crack like the 24 valvers do. Would you take the chance? Anyone know the start year of the 53’s? I have searched and read on this forum until blurry eyed. Everything I have read pretty much only talks about the 24 valvers, but it has still helped make my decision not to buy this truck, however, I wanted to see if I could get some input from the 12 valve community. Thanks.

The patriot · 03-26-2005, 02:30 AM

If it has a 53, there's a good chance it will crack if BOMBED heavily, and driven hard.
I have a 53 in my 1998 12 valve and havent had a problem yet.

I only have 370 injectors, and dont run it too hard.
I also saw that there are two different "53" blocks, so some may crack, and some may be less prone to cracking.
I am no expert.
I would say you should take into account that you may have to replace the block/engine some time in the future.
Run a search again, and read it till youre bleery eyed again.
There's a lot more info in there than anyone can type in a few paragraphs, and more first hand experience.
JM.02
Eric

PS Has the KDP been done? It it BOMBED? How heavily? Gauges?

Dirtscience · 03-26-2005, 04:29 AM

Eric,
Thanks for the reply. I am under the same impression as you on there being two forms of 53's out there. There are also some big horsepower 53's out there with no problems yet. I've been wanting a Dodge CTD for 2 years now and joined this site 13 months ago. All I do is read and learn. I'm not sure that my second option of just putting a cummins into a Ford might be a better deal for me. It wont be my first conversion, just my first cummins conversion. This site has been invaluble, and also the reason I have not purchased a truck yet. My plan for whatever truck is to bomb it. I just did not want to pay the way over retail price these things go for in my area and then have to put an engine in it because I want to play. It almost makes more sence to get an engine, build it, put it in something you like, then go play. Thanks again.

mechanic · 03-26-2005, 05:50 AM

I don't know where you live, but the area I am in (Oklahoma City area) Ok there are some good prices if you take your time and shop. In November 2001 I bought my 94 2 wd LST with 128000 miles for $7500. Last summer I saw 97 2 wd ext cab, 5spd with 180,000 miles, that was almost perfect inside and out, and the asking price on it was $8900. I see them from time to time at good prices. 4X4 s are not so price friendly though.

Also remember that a cracked block dose not mean it is junk. There is information on the links about several ways to repair the block in the frame. If the leak is small a good sealer like KW BLOCK SEALER might seal it up. That type of sealer has done wonders in the past.

EBottema · 03-26-2005, 05:57 AM

I have not heard of a #53 12v cracked block yet. I might be wrong but If it is your dream truck, go for it. If it is a good deal that is even better, if you plan to keep it forever you can always rebuild later if needed...

Dirtscience · 03-26-2005, 01:30 PM

Thanks for the reply guys, What makes it my dream truck is, I dont haul anything. I am very fond of the quad cab short bed but want to stay with the 12 valve. I doubt I will find one without a 53 in it, as I have seen posts with 97's that have 53's in em.

dberry · 03-26-2005, 01:49 PM

You can't go wrong with a quad cab 12 valve. It is the best of both worlds!
I'm sure with my luck if a '98 12v 53 block does crack it will be mine!

Piers · 03-26-2005, 04:22 PM

One thing I do when checking out a 53 block, look at the casting on the passenger side of the block, near the back, below the freeze plugs. So far, it's been my experience, that the bad blocks always have poor casting that is visable in that area. Look closley at that area and if the block casting has signs of porosity in the casting, it's probably one that's going to crack, if it's nice and smooth, there is a good chance you have a non cracking 53. Although Cummins have never really come out on this subject, I do have official paperwork from Cummins about how they doubled the wall thickness in that area from 5.5mm to 11mm on the later blocks.

JGK · 03-26-2005, 06:28 PM

Dirtscience,

While the 53 block has the potential of cracking, you have to ask yourself, what's the number of cracked blocks that have been reported versus the number of blocks out there running around the country. Probably an infinitismally small percentage. The 12 valves may be even smaller. I'd say, if you want this truck and the prices is right, get it. You'll kick yourself later. I think the risk is rather small.

You only go around once, and these trucks are rare. He who hesitates is lost.

-Jay

Oh, and yes, I do have a 53. I just am not going to loose sleep about it.

Vaughn MacKenzie · 03-27-2005, 05:48 AM

One thing that doesn't make sense to me is Cummins' information says the 24-valve block is not the same casting, and therefore even if they're a #53 block the 12-valve casting shouldn't be the same as the 24v. Read here: http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/mt_2_feb98/lower_end.htm

I wonder if Cummins started casting blocks for the 24v at the beginning of the '98 model year but used them to make 12v engines until January 1998?? I know one guy had an issue with studs being too long when he installed a set for '96-'97 on his '98 12v.

Vaughn

The patriot · 03-27-2005, 05:00 PM

Piers, I know youre a busy guy, but if you could post a pic of the differences of the two 53 blocks(maybe on your web site?), it would be a great help, at least to me.
A picture is worth 1000 words.

Eric

JGK · 03-28-2005, 02:09 PM

Ditto that!!

-Jay

pwerwagn · 03-28-2005, 04:17 PM

My dream truck also was a 98 12V quad cab sb. I found one exactly like I wanted, 5-speed and all. It has the "53" block, but I really dont care. I dont regret buying it for one minute.

I'd rather have a 53 block 12V than any VP44. and to think some of the 24's have both problems!

Mine has almost 150K on it now, mild mods and it has been driven hard. No problems so far. FWIW, the bentz cummins dragster has a 53. So does Fulmers truck I think. And If I remember right, so does HVAC's old truck. All three high hp and driven hard.
--Jeff

JGK · 04-04-2005, 06:18 AM

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

Jim Fulmer · 04-04-2005, 11:40 AM

There are also some big horsepower 53's out there with no problems yet

I've got two of them, old one is on the shop floor as a core, the other is a new rebuild by Piers, and nope I'm not worried about either!

Jim