Edelbrock 350, 403, 3712, 330, 307 User Manual

Performer-Plus

Camshaft/Lifters/Lube Kit

CATALOG #3712

MODEL: 307, 330, 350, & 403 c.i.d. Oldsmobile V8, 1967 to 1985

Instructions

• PLEASE study these instructions carefully before installing your new camshaft. If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to call our
Technical Hotline at: 1-800-416-8628.

• CAMSHAFT: Edelbrock Performer-Plus camshafts are ground specifically for use with the corresponding Performer manifold #3711 on engines
operating from idle to 5500 rpm. The Performer Olds 350 manifold #3711 and Performer-Plus camshaft #3712 are designed to work as a team
to give you better driveability and performance. They are dyno-matched and street-proven. For best results, use the Edelbrock manifold/camshaft
package with the carburetor and headers we recommend.
NOTE: Maximum performance is achieved when the Edelbrock Performer Olds 350 Power Package components are used with the following
equipment:

• Performer Olds 350 manifold/camshaft/timing set/valve springs

• Original Equipment Quadrajet carburetor

• 1-5/8" headers

• aftermarket/re-curved distributors

• any combination of the above

• IMPORTANT: This instruction sheet provides general installation guidelines which can affect your warranty. Read it carefully. It is not our intent
to cover each detail of installation here; a step-by-step procedure manual would be far too lengthy. We want to caution you that installing a
camshaft is a complicated procedure that requires a good general knowledge of automotive engines. If you are not confident that you can com­plete the camshaft installation successfully, we suggest you consider having it installed by an experienced mechanic.

CAUTION: Improper installation will result in LOW MILEAGE, POOR PERFORMANCE, COSTLY REINSTALLATION, and ENGINE DAMAGE.

TO AVOID THESE PROBLEMS YOU MUST DO THE FOLLOWING:

Carefully study and understand all instructions.
Examine the camshaft for possible shipping damage (if damaged contact your dealer immediately).

• TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

o Use the following checklist for items needed.
o box and open-end wrenches
o socket set
o distributor wrench
o pliers (channel locks & hose clamp)
o screw drivers (regular and phillips)
o torque wrench
o hammer
o gasket scraper or putty knife
o timing light
o vacuum gauge
o rags
o water bucket
o harmonic balancer puller
o crank gear puller

• HARDWARE & PARTS TO BUY

o gaskets- OEM valley pan or equivalent
o pipe plugs, if needed
o Edelbrock Gasgacinch, #9300
o RTV Silicone Gasket Sealant
o chalk
o paper and pencil
o radiator coolant
o teflon tape
o Edelbrock Performer-Link True Rolling Timing Chain and Gear Set

#7813
o Edelbrock Sure Seat Valve Springs #5812
o Manifold bolt kit #8514

PREPARATION CHECKLIST

©2008 Edelbrock Corp. Rev. 9/08 - AJ/mc

Brochure #63-3712

page 1

®

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENGINE PARTS REMOVAL

• BEFORE CAMSHAFT INSTALLATION

1. Disconnect battery.

2. For ease of installation, keep all parts in some sort of order.
WARNING: Do not remove radiator cap or radiator hose if engine is
hot.

3. Drain radiator coolant, move fan shroud back and remove fan and
spacer from water pump. Remove radiator and air conditioning con­denser if so equipped. In some cases, the front grille may have to be
removed. Measure distance from front cover to grille or brackets that
may interfere with camshaft against the length of the camshaft.

4. Remove gas cap to relieve pressure. Disconnect fuel line at fuel
pump and plug. Replace gas cap.

5. Disconnect all linkage from carburetor such as throttle, throttle
springs, transmission, cruise control and automatic choke.

6. Tag and remove coil wires, sensor wires.and all vacuum lines.

7. Remove valve covers.

8. Remove distributor cap and wires, rotate engine until rotor points
towards number 1 terminal in cap and pointer on front cover is on
Top Dead Center (TDC) and remove distributor. Note the approximate
position of the vacuum advance canister in relation to the manifold
to assist in getting the distributor properly located during re-installa­tion.

9. Remove carburetor and intake manifold.

10. Remove rocker arms and pushrods. CAUTION: Rocker arms and
rocker arm pivots must be re-installed in their original positions.

11. Remove old valve lifters.

12. Remove crankshaft pulley and, using a suitable puller, crankshaft
dampener.

13. Loosen oil pan and remove water pump, fuel pump, and front cover.
NOTE: The front cover oil seal should be replaced before the front
cover is re-installed.

14. Rotate engine until timing marks are aligned as shown in Figure 2.

15. Remove cam sprocket bolts. Slide sprocket and timing chain forward
to remove.

16. Remove camshaft. Using appropriate gear puller, remove crank
sprocket.

• VALVE SPRINGS
CAUTION: WARNINGS ABOUT YOUR WARRANTY

In order for this Performer-Plus cam and lifter kit to be covered
under ANY WARRANTY you MUST use the correct Edelbrock Sure
Seat Valve Springs or original equipment equivalent. Failure to install
new Edelbrock valve springs or OE equivalent with your new
Performer-Plus cam could cause the cam lobes to wear excessively
and could cause additional engine damage.

1. This camshaft is designed to function with Edelbrock Sure Seat valve
springs #5812. Do not use dual valve springs with this camshaft.
Recommended installed height for these springs is 1.670".

2. If using stock valve springs, check and set spring height to factory
specifications for correct year and model
NOTE: Due to various settings throughout the years, we advise
checking Motors, Chilton, or Oldsmobile service manuals or correct
spring height for your vehicle.

• LIFTERS

1. New lifters must be used with a new camshaft. Use only the lifters
supplied with this kit.

2. Check to be sure that all lifters fit freely in the lifter bores.

• INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Coat cam lobes and bottoms of each lifter with MoS2 lube (supplied)
to prevent cam lobe and lifter wear from occurring during initial
start-up. Do not "pump up" lifters before installation!

2. Install new camshaft with new sprockets, timing chain and lifters.
CAUTION: Use Edelbrock Performer-Plus True Rolling Timing Chain
and Gear Set #7813. Do not use late model timing chain & gear sets
that are designed in a retarded position and are not recommended
for this camshaft installation. Edelbrock Timing Sets feature three
keyways for specific timing selection. Use locking compound materi­al on the bolt threads holding timing gear to cam. Torque to factory
recommendations specified in motor repair manual.
Install camshaft with timing marks lined up as recommended by fac­tory specifications. See Figure 2.
When using Performer-Plus Timing Chain and Gear Set #7813 with
Edelbrock cam and lifter kits, straight up timing alignment is
achieved. If any other timing gear set is used, it is necessary to
check cam position for correct timing alignment. This requires index­ing the camshaft with a degree wheel to verify timing alignment.
O.E.M. or non-Edelbrock timing gear sets are not recommended for
use with Edelbrock camshafts.

• VALVE ADJUSTMENT

1. Turn the engine over until the No. 1 cylinder is at Top Dead Center
(TDC) on the compression stroke (both lifters will be at the bottom of
their travel in the lifter bores). Install both intake and exhaust
pushrods, rocker arms, rocker arm pivot, and rocker arm bolts.
Carefully tighten bolts while feeling pushrods for vertical clearance.
As soon as all vertical clearance is gone from pushrods, count num­ber of turns until bolts bottom out. There should be 1/2 to 1 full turn
of lifter pre-load. If vertical clearance exists after bolts bottom out,
longer-than-stock pushrods are required. Use 5/16" diameter intake
pushrods for big-block Chevrolets, which are approximately .050"
longer than Oldsmobile pushrods. They are available from GM deal­ers (GM #14075629), TRW (#48099), or other pushrod suppliers. If
excessive lifter pre-load exists, use shims under rocker arm pivots to
achieve 1/2 to 1 turn pre-load.

2. The above procedure assures correct lifter pre-load. Repeat this pro­cedure for each of the other seven cylinders by rotating the engine
90° and following the firing order (1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2).

3. Re-install front cover, fuel pump, water pump, and oil pan using new
gaskets.

4. Install intake manifold using new intake gasket set and torque mani­fold bolts to 25 ft./lbs.

5. Install crankshaft dampener and torque to factory specs.

page 2

• INSTALLING PUSHRODS AND ROCKER ARMS

After the cam is installed and timed correctly (see Figure 2), it will be
necessary to check each pushrod for correct lifter pre-load. Before
installation, be sure to coat friction surfaces of pushrods, rocker
arms and pivots with a suitable lubricant such as motor oil or
assembly lube.

©2008 Edelbrock Corp. Rev. 9/08 - AJ/mc

Brochure #63-3712