Easy, find one with IH cast in it. They are old IH tractor blocks that ended up in some trucks. No I'm not kidding, they do exist and they came factory in rare cases. They had much thicker block walls and castings.

-Chuck

 

i would like some info also? And how can I tell which block do i have?

 

Here is the info you are looking for: CumminsDatabase.com :: The Infamous 53 Block

-Chuck

 

Chuck, would this block be a boltup replacement or will I have to make things fit? I've never heard of this? We're scrapping a couple of buses at work, they have 54 and 55 block ISB's And I may be getting one for next to nothing, Think I should still look for the IH block, I'm not doing anything serious, just a 450horse tow rig. lol.

Jesparza, look on you're block just above the oil pan and directly below the oil cooler housing. or on the driver's side of the block just to the rear of the power steering pump. the casting #'s will be in one or both places.

 

It would bolt right in. I know of one guy who has an IH block in his 2nd gen. Kindof a nice surprise when you realize what you have.

Any block casting other than 53 is fine. The blocks, IIRC, were cast in Brazil at the Cummins block casting plant and machine 53 produced thin walls that are prone to cracking. 54 or 55 should be fine for your needs.

-Chuck

 

do you know what year the IH block popped up in?

 

Not sure when they fizzled out, but the IH "Ag" block has been found in first gen VE trucks up through 2nd gen trucks. I'm not the Cummins block expert, just relaying what I've learned here and there.

-Chuck

 

so what is the better block to buy?

 

For all practical purposes, anything but a 53 is fine. The Ag blocks are desirable for sled pulls and high hp trucks because they tend to hold up better.

-Chuck

 

Well I just got word from a friend who feels that Ag blocks aren't found in 24 valve trucks, just 12 valve trucks. So from what I can tell, VE and P pump 12 valve trucks might have Ag blocks, 24 valves I can't prove either way at this point. Maybe someone else with more experience with these Ag blocks will chime in.

-Chuck

 

Where would the IH be cast on the block? I'm gonna go see if my '92 has it.

As far as 12v and 24v blocks interchanging, I think they do. Only difference is there will be a place to bolt the mechanical fuel pump on the 12V, the 24V has the boss in the casting but it's not machined out.

 

Thanks alot chuck, Are the 12 and 24v blocks the same? I was under the impression that they wouldn't interchange.

 

My diesel mechanic friend says that you may have a tone ring in the crankcase and the Ag block doesn't have that in the casting. And with that we're out of my league.

-Chuck

 

Find an early IH block and it'll have 14mm mains but not nearly as strong as a rail block. All blocks will now superceed to one block which will work for 12v and 24v.

 

One question:
I'm considering buying a 2002 Dodge 2500 with a build date of August 8,2001....could this be a late 2001 with the '53' block?!?!?!

 

Update: The engine I wound up with has only a "5" cast where the brazillian castiing #'s would be, and it has the International logo (diamond) cast on the front of the block.
Is it true? did I end up with an "AG" block??????

 

I honestly do not know myself but here is another bump for you because I would also like to know. Where did you find this logo at? Details??

 

The logo I'm refering to is the newer International logo that looks like a square tipped up on one corner, not the logo w/ the letters I and H, just wanted to make sure that was clear, I'lll post pics as soon as the block is back from the machine shop.

This logo is cast on the front of the block, just above and to the right of where the cam goes into the block, as viewd from the front.

I'm not sure of the year, but this is indeed a 24V VP44 engine, It came out of a low floor, rear engine, 19 foot transit bus. There is a boss for a mechanical, cam driven fuel pump, and it has been machined out. It had a cover/ wiring bracket bolted in place where the mechaical fuel pump would go.

 

This logo is cast on the front of the block, just above and to the right of where the cam goes into the block, as viewd from the front.

Would that be under the timing gear-case? Then so much for being able to easily ID that block if it's in a truck.

 

Yes, it is inside the the gear case, the cam might have to be pulled out to see the logo that's on my block.
I didn't notice it when I took the engine apart, I noticed it after it had been cleaned, and at the machine shop.

 

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn: This has got me cause i was thinking about building a new 12v towing everyday driver.

 

bump ..i want more information lol

 

just looked at a freinds 12v (98) he has a small "5" on the passanger side about half the size of my 53 on my block.. does that indicate he has a IH block? tried looking on the driver side for the numbers first but was too much gunk:lol3:

 

Hey Eric... I hope you got a good block! You are pushing some nice numbers out of the old 53 cracked block. I will be seeing you guys soon...

 

Hey Nick, long time no see!
Yeah, the 53 isn't faring too well, not over heating yet, but coolant temp fluctuates ALOT! and keeps the underside of my truck green:rofThe crack went from about 3.5 to over 10" That's what happens when a guy races, and sled pulls with a cracked block.:lol3:

White99, I'll post pics as soon as I get the block back from Greeley Auto and Machine. hopefully by the end of the week. If my memory serves me correct, the "5" was only on the injection pump side of the block.

 

ok.sounds good.id really like to find out and learn more about this "5" on the passanger side of the block,it may be on the drivers side as well but there was so much gunk i couldnt really tell n didnt feel like takin another shower after looking for a number i already saw on the other side haha. keep me posted i would really like to know.:beer

 

bump..........

 

bump any info on the "5" block would like to know..

 

If it doesn't say "53" it should be fine. All other castings were to spec and shouldn't have issues.

 

yea, i know of the 53 etc but i wanted to know if it had just a "5" that was about half an inch tall if it idicated it was a IH block or not..

 

I think the IH blocks had IH cast in them. I'm certainly no expert on IH blocks though. Maybe someone more knowledgable will chime in?

 

:lol3:im waiting for someone to chime in on em as well:w: i looked at a freinds 98 12v n he had a small 5 on the passanger side n wanted to know if it indicated anything, i tryed lookin on the driver side but was too much gunk for me to keep fishin around..so now im just hopin someone sees the thread that knows about em:beer

 

Anything but a 53 is fine. Rail blocks are the strongest and are the 'late mexico' versions. There are a few IH blocks floating around in the earlier trucks that have 14 mm soft mains.