[Contrite]

I finally got the nerve to see if my block is a 53 & it is! So I searched for the start of any cracking & didn't find any hairlines around the freeze plug area or anything yet. Whew!

So my plan now is to warm the truck up to 140 before driving, each & every time. I figure that getting it there quickly (since I'm always in a hurry) will help to make this new habit established, hence installing 3 cyl/high idle.

Previously, I always made it a habit to let the truck run for a min or 3 before taking off, so maybe that's why it isn't cracked or I don't have one of the 1% of 53 blocks that crack?

So let's hear it, am I crazy?

 

[dozer12216]

You a mental case or worse. At this time in life it very unlikely to crack. Just drive it like you own it and quit worry. Nothing you do will keep it from cracking if it gonna. VP44 far more likely to go bad. JMHO.

 

[nkfry]

:agree2: That's like knowing your 2nd gen is prone to losing the bottom of the doors in salty environments and storing it during the winter. Like everything else: if you take care of the truck as intended the likelyhood of problems is lessened.
Theres a few 53 blocks with over a million miles and their still hotshotting for a living.

 

[racerdane]

yeah thats all well and good until it does crack like mine then you don't know what to do either get a long block or just the block....I called a lock and stitch place and they wanted $2,750 and that was if i took the truck stripped down to were they just have to repair it

 

[itspaid4]

I have a 53block it never warms up or cools down, oil pressure comes up and i take off! 240,000 and no crack but it is stock so?

 

[Contrite]

Thanks for the opinions, guys!

I guess I was feeling pretty down after finding it & then I started looking up 53 cracked threads & drinking heavily, LOL.

 

[itspaid4]

I feel ya! My heart sank to my stomach, and i have yet to add any power to the motor because of it.

 

[pepsi71ocean]

yea, the best thing to do is to add mopar1973 mans high idle switches and then you have high idle all the time.

just three switches and your at 1,200rpm operation...

Link

Mopar1973Man's Dodge Cummins Articles - High Idle Modification



BUT IMO, i do let it warm up to 100-120F (usually 5-8mins when cold before i get on it, just because and i figure if she cracks she will, the i'll go from there.

 

[Contrite]

BUT IMO, i do let it warm up to 100-120F (usually 5-8mins when cold before i get on it, just because and i figure if she cracks she will, the i'll go from there.

That's about how I feel about it right now too. Thanks.

I finished my turbo install tonight & gave that 53 a workout, after a proper warm up of course. LOL!