I am aware of the 53 block issues (or lack of issues) with the 12v engines. I have a 98 2wd QC dually now with a build date of 11/97 that does not have the 53 block. I am buying another truck which is a 98 club cab 4x4 SB and was wondering if the club cab was probably built earlier than my current truck, thus further decreasing the chance that it is a 53 block truck. To be honest I had forgotten that you could get either QC or CC trucks in 98 with the 12 v engines. By the way the truck that I am buying was built in Mexico if that matters (read somewhere that the Mexican built blocks were better). I am 8+ hours away and dont want to call the guy this late and have him crawl under the truck tonight and look. Mabye in the morning. Just figured I'd ask if you guys knew. Thanks.

 

from what ive read it can be. I would call him tomorrow if you can and have him look it over to see. if you have already bought it then check it out when you get it home. most people I tell about the 53 block think im crazy. I tell them its real no joke.

 

If your 98 is not a 53 block you are lucky as all the 98 12v and 24v I have seen have been the 53 block The 53 block was started in 1997 The replacement block which was the storm 54 block was released in 1998 but there were a lot of 53 blocks that they used I have seen them all the way up to 2001 in fact I have a 2001 with the 53 block. and my 98 12v 4wh dr club cab has a 53 block in it.

 

Both of my 98 12 valves have 53 blocks! No problems knock on wood

 

Thanks guys. The truck did have the 53 block in it. I bought it anyway. I drove 550 miles to look at it and the truck was in such good condition, with low mileage, I figured I would just buy it and if the block cracks I will pull it out and replace it. I have read and read and can't seem to find any of the 12V engines with the 53 that have cracked. That certainly does not mean that there are none, just not near as frequent as the 24V trucks it seems. I do have my sub 100K non 53 block (thicker mexican block) 2wd dually sitting next to the truck I just bought. While driving home today I even contemplated swaping engines out between the two. I have a shop and all the tools needed. Am I crazy. By the way my new 53 block truck will smoke my other 2wd truck. The breakoff screw is missing in the afc housing so I know they have either slid the afc or it has a different fuel plate in it. Whatever the case it barely smokes at all at WOT so I know its pretty close on the tune. Opinions on the swap idea?

 

would not worry about it. so far all 98 12v reported in have been 53 blocks. not one instance of block failure so far.

edit: seems a non 53 block 98 12v has checked in below

sure it's low numbers for 98 12v, but enough of them are out there. that if it was going to be a problem. sometime would have showed up by now.

you are good to go!

 

Thanks for the reply. I wonder if anyone ever figured out why it seems only the 24 valve 53's had cracking issues, other than as you said, lower #'s of them built.

 

The 24v 53 block is actually a different casting with much less metal on the pan rails.Lay them side by side and its easy to see the difference.Metal was removed on the 24v motors to allow for faster warm up and lower emmissions.....Andy

 

My 1998 12v is not a 53 block. It has the numeral 5 in the casting, both sides, exactly where the "53" should be. It was made in St. Louis.