anyone hear of 12v #53 cracked?

[TLanier]

I was looking on the forum for "block heater" and ran across the #53 problem. I went outside, and sure enought I have a #53 block. I read of alot of cracked blocks in the 24v forums, but not in the 12v.

Mine is a 98 12v, and the block has the ribs just like the newer 24v blocks. I guess this is the same block.

There is a layer of grime which prevents me from checking for casting pits or deformations, as described by Piers, until I get the chance to clean it.

So, has anyone heard of a 12v with the 53 having the usual crack on the passenger side near the freeze plugs? Is the 12v somehow different enough in operation from the 24v that the #53 is not an issue?

IS THIS JUST A 24V PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME BLOCK ON LATE 12V'S????

On a side note, I am really disappointed that in all my searching and learning about Cummins in my search for my perfect truck, no one mentioned this issue. I mean I could have just crawled under there and said, hey, it is a #53, keep it! I heard all about KDP and air leaks in fuel lines, but basically the 12v will last forever, buy it. No ones fault but my own, but you would think that a problem as major as a cracking block would get more attention on all the dodge sites than ANYTHING else. Really disappointed.