Edelbrock 60459 Quick start guide

©2002 Edelbrock Corporation
Brochure # 63-0064 Rev. 11/02
Page 1 of 2
PERFORMER RPM ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS
for Big-block Chevrolet V8s
CATALOG #60449* (bare) and #60459* (complete)
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please study these instructions carefully before installing your new cylinder heads. If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate
to contact our Technical Hotline at: [phone] from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, Pacific Standard Time or
e-mail us at: [email protected].
DESCRIPTION
The Edelbrock Performer RPM Street Cylinder Head is designed for street high performance use, and is interchangeable with any early-
style (1965-75) large oval port big-block Chevrolet cylinder head. This new cylinder head offers "out of the box" bolt-on performance
with no additional porting required. The performance range is 1500-6500 rpm for great throttle response throughout the power band as
well as top-end horsepower. The intake and exhaust ports are CNC machine "matched" and have been designed for maximum flow
velocity when matched with our Performer RPM intake manifold #7161 (for square-bore carbs) or #7164 (for spread-bore carbs),
Performer RPM cam kit #7162, and Performer Series square-bore carburetors or Performer RPM Q-Jet carburetors as seen in our catalog
or website. This Performer RPM Power Package produced 540 horsepower in dyno tests on a 454 c.i.d. Chevy with 9.5:1 compression
on pump gasoline. A totally unique intake port design yields flow numbers traditionally associated with high performance rectangular
port heads, but with the smaller runner size and velocity of an oval port. The 110 cc combustion chamber is a semi-open chamber design
to maximize combustion efficiency with streetable compression ratios. NOTE: This head has no exhaust crossover passage and will not
work on any vehicle requiring EGR. This cylinder head is compatible with both early style Mark IV and late model Mark V blocks.
Complete cylinder heads are assembled with the following components: Stainless steel, one-piece, swirl-polished intake and exhaust
valves with under-cut stems for increased flow; 2-ring positive oil control seals; 7/16" rocker studs and 3/8" guideplates; Edelbrock Sure-
Seat Valve Springs #5745, retainers #9715, valve keepers #9615 and valve spring seats #5770. Complete cylinder heads are assembled
and prepared for installation right out of the box. Bare cylinder heads will have valve guides and seats installed, but will require final
sizing and a valve job to match the valves you will be using.
ACCESSORIES: Although Edelbrock Street Cylinder Heads will
accept OEM components (rocker arms, valve covers, intake
manifold, head bolts, etc.), we highly recommend that premium
quality hardware be used with your new heads.
HEAD BOLTS or STUDS: High quality head studs or head bolts
with hardened washers must be used to prevent galling of the
aluminum bolt bosses. Edelbrock Head Bolt Kit #8551 includes
eight longer-than-stock bolts which must be used with these
cylinder heads. If you use any other head bolts, you must use
the eight head bolts and washers supplied with these heads in
positions #15, #8, #2, and #7 in Figure 1. These positions will
not accept stock length head bolts.
NOTE: Head bolts may bottom out in blocks with blind bolt
holes (Bowtie, 502 Mark V, etc.). Check for clearance, and if
necessary shorten bolts or replace with a set specifically
designed for use with blind holes.
ROCKER ARMS: The valve springs supplied will accommodate
valve lifts up to .700". Check the spring pressures required by
your cam manufacturer for your camshaft. This lift is much
higher than stock rocker arms will allow. Roller rocker arms will
be required if your camshaft has more than .500" lift. Stock
rockers may require longer-than-stock pushrods to clear the
valve springs.
NOTE: A visual inspection of rocker arm to valve alignment is
recommended. In some cases, it maybe necessary to loosen the
guide plate and adjust the plate to get proper alignment. Make
sure to re-torque the studs to recommended torque listed below.
VALVE COVERS: Because most roller rockers are physically
larger than stock rockers, taller valve covers are usually required
to clear them. Use Edelbrock Signature Series chrome valve
covers #4680 or Elite Series polished aluminum valve covers
#4280.
INTAKE MANIFOLD: Although stock intake manifolds will fit,
the Edelbrock Street Cylinder Heads are matched in size and
operating range with Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifolds
#7161 or #7164. If the Performer RPM is too tall to fit under
your hood (Corvettes, etc.), you may use the Edelbrock Torker II
2-O manifold #5061. Additionally, any manifold that matches
Fel-Pro gasket #1212 may be used (Edelbrock Performer, Torker,
Victor Jr., Victor Ram, etc.). Oval port intake manifolds may be
used as-is, or port matched to the same configuration as the
cylinder heads for optimum performance.
*Not legal for sale or use on pollution-controlled motor vehicles.

©2002 Edelbrock Corporation
Brochure # 63-0064 Rev. 11/02
Page 2 of 2
EXHAUST HEADERS: Any header or manifold designed for
original equipment heads will fit the Edelbrock Street Cylinder
Heads. Exhaust ports are CNC profiled to match Fel-Pro #1411
exhaust gaskets which are recommended for this application.
SPARK PLUGS: Use 14mm x 3/4" reach gasketed spark plugs.
Heat range will vary by application and may range from
Champion N-9Y to N-14Y (or equivalent). If required for header
clearance, use Champion RC-12YC or equivalent which are 1/4"
shorter than “N” series plugs. Use anti-seize on the plug
threads to prevent galling in the cylinder head, and
torque to 10 ft./lbs. Do not overtighten sparkplugs!
INSTALLATION: Installation is the same as for original
equipment cylinder heads. Consult service manual for specific
procedures, if necessary. For 454 and smaller Mark IV engines,
use Fel-Pro head gasket #1017-1 or equivalent. For 454 Mark
V engines, use Fel-Pro head gasket #1037 or equivalent. For
502 c.i.d. Mark V engines, use Fel-Pro head gasket #1047 or
equivalent. Be sure that the surface of the block and the
surface of the head is thoroughly cleaned to remove any oily
film before installation. Use alcohol or lacquer thinner on a lint-
free rag to clean. Apply liquid teflon or suitable thread sealer to
head bolt threads. Torque short bolts to 65 ft./lbs. and long ones
to 75 ft./lbs. in three steps following the factory tightening
sequence (see Figure 1). A re-torque is recommended after
initial start-up and cool-down (allow 2-3 hours for adequate
cooling).
SPECIFICATIONS
Head bolt torque: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 ft./lbs. (short bolts; #11, #5, #4, and #10),
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 ft./lbs. long bolts; all others
Rocker stud torque: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 ft./lbs.
Combustion chamber volume: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 cc
Deck thickness: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9/16"
Valve Seats: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hardened, interlocking, compatible with unleaded fuels
Valve Size: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Intake- 2.19", Exhaust- 1.88"
Valve Stem Diameter: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11/32"
Valve Spring Diameter: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.54"
Valve Spring Installed Height: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1.975"
Valve Spring Seat Pressure: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 lbs.
Max. Valve Lift: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..700" - Check spring pressures per cam manufacturer.
Bolt Boss Height
A = 3.38”
B = 2.88”
C = 4.44”
D = 1.38”
Figure 1
PLEASE complete and mail your warranty card. Be sure to write the model number of this product in the “Part #____” space.
THANK YOU.
Edelbrock Corporation, 2700 California St., Torrance, CA 90503
Tech Line: [phone]
Tech Fax: [phone]