dieselboy59

Hi is any one running higher than stock with a 53 block?Any info would be great.

1-5-3-6-2-4

Ya, more than double stock HP.....wasted the head gasket yesterday, but no 53 block cracks.

Tate

I'm right around double as well. 380k km on it, still keeping the fluids where they should be.

Jturs

53 block here also. as for cracks or leaking i got nothin. but then again im not puttin down alot of power..... yet

JD Dearden

I happen to know someone making over a 1k hp with a 53

freddy_772

I've got 215k km on my 53 with more than double the power and no problems. From what I understand if they're going to crack it's usually by 100,000. Some of the blocks were thin and some weren't. Kind of a hit and miss but if you've got over 150k on it you should be in the clear, hopefully.

nate_88

Same here, I'm running more than stock HP, and I'll be running a lot more very soon! I'm at 150K and no cracks... but like freddy said, they will usually crack before 100K, so if you're beyond that mark, you should be good to go!

dieselrob

Just a couple ponies short of 600 and 104xxx on the clock with the 53. They have been hard miles since 60k and shes still not bleeding yet.

olddodgetruck

198xxx on mine, knock on wood

b4wheeler

Check my sig. I've been running her like this for a year and no problems. I have more plans for the future and haven't worried about it yet. If it's going to go, it will go and I will deal with it then....

high bid

170k miles so far no probs....but not many mods yet.

Big Blue24

230K miles on mine, no coolant leaks, stock head gasket, has towed lots of weight, I have pegged the coolant gauge once racing a Powerstroke up a pass while hauling 8k in a horse trailer.

I think the 53 block problem was blown out of proportion. Less than 1 in 100 fail.

ScottGregory

Put a 183,000 miles on mine floating tin the 400-450hp range. I agree not every block cracks, however they crack enough for Cummins seemingly recognize it.
Several reasons that I changed mine out: 1) I had the engine apart anyways 2) Want to get in the 600hp club 3) If I had left it in and it cracked I would have to listen to my wife say "See I told you so".

If its in and running I wouldn't worry about it at all.

99globalwarmer

150k no problems but it could happen, and not only 53 blocks crack

Big Blue24

I believe cast is pot metal anyway. So who knows if the mix of random recycled steel was better on my block that yours. Thousands of variables, not worth losing sleep over. If it cracks, use that voodoo pepper trick in the radiator. Ha Ha, or just drive it and keep adding coolant.