Although still looking for that 2nd Gen Diesel, I came across an item that most of you are familiar with.
"The Dreaded 53 Block" I have as mentioned still looking and I guess a little research does pat off in the long run. I have come across a few that I have liked, and with the options that I am used to and would like to stay with.
Now while looking at an ad the seller mentioned "That his truck did not have the Dreaded 53 Block", now that I have located another Truck I put the question to the seller about this, and included the location of where to locate it.
He came back with an answer that the area of which it is supposed to be is in fact, blank.
Any info on this, is it supposed to be blank, or what else should I be looking for?
I don't want to step into a vehicle, run down the Highway while pulling my Trailer and have the block crack on me.
This Truck that I am looking at is a 2001, so it falls in the category some of those problem Blocks.
Any and all suggestions to these questions are welcomed, and appreciated.
Just one more does the 2002 fall into the 2nd Gen Category, they sure do look alike?

 

there are some blocks that the casting code cannot be understood. it may be worth it for you to put your eyes on the block code and see what it is. if you see it is infact 'blank' then you may have one of the mexican 'big boys'. the foundry that made these blocks uses a steel that was more dense and rugged than the block should have been. these are the blocks competition sled pullers try and get their hands on since they are VERY stout.

 

Drew, where do you find this code? I have read about it, just my main concern is that the area where the "53", is supposed to be located if it is one, is blank.
Is that unusual, or are they sometimes left blank.
Thanks, again

 

get under the truck and look at the drivers side front of the block above the oil pan. . .you should see it with a flashlight.

it is not unusual for the codes to be rather undecernable. some are just a jumble of random numbers and letters that do mean something. it all depends on the manufacturer.

Cummins had quite a few foundries for the manufacturing of their blocks, the 53's were made in brazil and the problem was a miss read of the design specs. the exhaust side water jacket should have been 11mm thick, instead it was cast 5.5mm thick. it may have had something to do with the conversion between the U.S. standard and the metric system.

 

For what it's worth, I think CowboyBob has a 53 block and he's got a bunch of miles on his Ram while towing. I'd be cautious of a 53, but if it's priced right, I'd probably buy it. It isn't like EVERY 53 block cracked, just enough to warrant the warning.

To answer your other question - YES - an 02 is a 2nd gen Ram

 

True that and quite possibly the best year ever.

 

Yes I've got a 53 block in a 2001 with 180k on the clock. Tow about 90% of the time with it and leave my Hypertech programer set at stage 3 100% of the time. In fact I've never changed it from stage 3 since the day I loaded it. So far no cracks. My opinion is that if it was going to crack, it would have already done it.

I did some investigating on the subject and found that there are a few things that can be done to prevent it from cracking. It seems that extreme temp changes are the culprit. I always use the block heater if the temp goes below 50F and let it warm up before putting a big load on the engine.I also baby it a little bit when towing on big hills.

 

Thanks again for all the replies on the "53s". I just saw one up for sale and the guy described it as it didn't have the dreaded "53" Block, and was wondering just how severe of a problem this was.
As for Cowboy Bob, hope I didn't offend you in any way on this, as non was intended. Also I agree with you on the plug in and warm up. I do that in my 5.2, not at 50 F, but below freezing I do and let the Oil both in the Trans and Engine circulate, prior to setting out.
Drew, thanks for the advice you have given me, it is a big help in my deciding on what to look for. When I started out looking for one of these Trucks, it was either a 94-98 because of the 12 valve. But have since come to realize that the 24s, are not really a bad choice.
I'm not looking for an off road Baja machine just one that will pull my trailer across the Prairies and up the Hills, and give me some Fuel economy in the process.

 

If it's fuel economy that you're after, I'd probably look at something like an 04. The common rail's seem to get better mileage than the 44's do.

Just a heads up for ya.

 

I am getting 20+ MPG out of mine (when not towing). I thought the newer trucks got crappy mileage?