dodge 350 cracked block

[Anonymous-0]

My friend bought a big dual wheeled dodge 350 with the 6 cylinder Cummins engine brand new in 1999. He found the other day the engine block is cracked on the turbo side of the engine right at the motor mount location. Garage said it could not be repaired as a fix would never hold with the stress of the motormount being right there. Garage said this was a common problem with this truck with the diesel. If this is so common was wondering if they ever had a recall? I've been looking trying to help him but have come up empty. Thanks for any suggestions or experiences.
Bob

 

[Heavyduty1]

I never heard of a cracked block at the motor mounts. I've heard of the KDP-killer dowel pin that would crack the front timing cover.

Sounds like he had a weak anti-freeze solution and the block busted.

You might want to check on some of the Cummins forums.

 

[banjo]

yes that was a problem with some of the blocks, it was common with a certain casting.

some folks have had success with repairs called block stitch

 

[Welding man]

Check out this site, they have been there and done that several times. when you get to the site click on special repairs. Lots of good reading.
Untitled URL Link

 

[schmuck]

Neglected anti-freeze caused problems with pin holes in cylinder walls on SOME diesels, Ford 6.9s' to be sure, not sure about Cummins. Block stitching is a possible solution depending on the damage. This is a highly specialized field and may not be cost effective, if you can even find a competent tradesman in your area. Good luck.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Fiat use to sell tractors but don't know if they still do.

 

[david - or]

It looks like your friend was hit by the Cummins "53 block" problem. This is a well known problem affecting a range of Cummins blocks cast in Brazil. You can read more about it on the turbo diesel register or on the specialty web page below.
Cummins 53 block

 

[railhead]

DO NOT TRY TO WELD IT. You will ruin the block if you do. I know you hadn't mentioned trying that but it is a fair warning as many (like myself) would think of that pretty much up front.

 

[JayinNY]

JB WELD claimes someone fixed a Caterpillar engine block with JB weld, why not a cummins? ;0 lol J

 

[trucker40]

I have seen a Caterpillar block erode down at the bottom of the bore where the liners went in(this can be reduced a lot by having a water filter on the coolant)and it was bag enough it would leak by the liner O rings.I saw a Cat mechanic take JB Weld and mix it with filings from filing metal and fill in the erosion with this mixture and then after it dried put the liners back in with new O rings and fix it.Where the JB Weld is held like that between two pieces it will last quite a while.Of course you have to have the surface of the metal clean,clean and roughed up to hold the JB Weld good.You might be able to buy JB Weld with metal mixed in it.I dont even know if the filings are necessary,its just thats how the Cat guy did it that I saw.

On this Cummins I went to Cummins engine overhaul school back in the 1980s and they had an old block in there that a rod went through the side of it and were fixing it just like in that article with the screws,screwed in to each other.That would probably work in a situation like that crack,but on that old block it failed after a couple of weeks because they were trying to put 2 big hunks back in place.This costed a fortune for a Cummins shop to do even back in the 1980s.I dont know what shop rates are now,but say 90 dollars an hour it wouldnt take long to add up if it took a lot of hours.It still may be cheaper than a block.

I dont know if JB weld would stay on there very long.Also if you did JB Weld it you might want to v it out a little.Drill a hole part way through each end to try and stop it from spreading and fill it with JB Weld and build it up a little and cover it to about an inch on each side of the crack.

I wouldnt say it cant be welded,but the way would probably be to take it all apart and take it somewhere they can put it in an oven and heat it up to weld it.I think I would ask Cummins about that.If that wont work then about all you can do is look for a good block somewhere.

Another block seems like the best thing in a way because you would want to look for one thats not supposed to crack like that.There are places that sell used blocks,like there is one at Springfield,Mo and other places that would maybe know some about this and could have a block that would work for you.Sorry I cant remember the name of the place but I think its something like core recyclers maybe.I bought a head for a Detroit from them a few years ago and they know a lot about stuff like that.Im not sure if your engine is one they will have,but it probably is if its used in commercial vehicles.They might even have a whole engine.Ill look and see if I can find them if you are interested.

 

[MSJ from MN]

Recall are for safety related items.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thanks very much everybody for your ideas and links to information. I will pass this along. I appreciate your help.
Bob