Edelbrock 389, 455 User Manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENGINE PARTS REMOVAL

BEFORE CAMSHAFT INSTALLATION

1. Disconnect battery.

2. For ease of installation, keep all parts in some sort of order.

• 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 RPM camshafts are ground specifically for use with the corresponding Performer RPM manifold. The Performer RPM manifold #7156, and Performer RPM camshaft #7157, 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. The Performer RPM camshafts are designed for use with modified or RPM cylinder heads, #6057-59 and valve train components only. Screw-in studs and H.P. adjustable rocker arms must be used. NOTE: Maximum performance is achieved only when the Edelbrock Performer RPM Power Package components are used with the following equipment:

• Performer RPM manifold/camshaft/timing set/valve springs

• Performer Series carburetor #1407

• fuel delivery system of sufficient capacity

• 1-3/4" headers

• aftermarket/re-curved distributors

• 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 you dealer immediately).

• TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Use the following checklist for items needed.

❏ box and open-end wrenches ❏ socket set ❏ distributor wrench ❏ pliers (channel locks & hose clamp) ❏ screw drivers (regular and phillips) ❏ torque wrench ❏ hammer ❏ gasket scraper or putty knife ❏ timing light ❏ vacuum gauge ❏ rags ❏ water bucket ❏ harmonic balancer puller

PREPARATION CHECKLIST

• HARDWARE & PARTS TO BUY

❏ Intake gaskets; OEM, Fel-Pro Print-O-Seal #1233, or equiva-

lent

❏ pipe plugs, if needed ❏ Edelbrock Gasgacinch, #9300 ❏ RTV silicone ❏ chalk ❏ paper and pencil ❏ radiator coolant ❏ teflon tape ❏ Edelbrock Performer-Link True Rolling Timing Chain and

Gear Set #7812

❏ Edelbrock Sure Seat Valve Springs, #5757 ❏ Manifold bolt kit #8559

Performer RPM

Camshaft/Lifters/Lube Kit

CATALOG #7157

MODEL: 389-455 c.i.d. Pontiac V8, 1965 & later

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. On air conditioned vehicles, remove bolt, lower idler pulley and compressor-to- water pump mount. Disconnect hoses and brackets. Most vehicles will require radiator removal prior to cam removal. Remove water pump.

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

5. Tag and remove vacuum lines.

6. Remove valve covers.

7. 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.

8. Remove carburetor and intake manifold. Remove fuel pump.

9. Remove rocker arms and pushrods.

10.Remove hydraulic valve lifters.

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

12.Loosen oil pan and remove front cover.

NOTE: The front cover oil seal should be replaced before the

front cover is re-installed.

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

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

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

• VALVE SPRINGS

CAUTION: WARNINGS ABOUT YOUR WARRANTY

In order for this Performer RPM cam and lifter kit to be cov-

ered under ANY WARRANTY you MUST use the correct Edelbrock Sure Seat Valve Springs or equivalent. Failure to install new Edelbrock valve springs or equivalent with your new Performer RPM 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 #5757. Do not use dual valve springs with this camshaft. Special H.P. retainers may be necessary with your installation for proper spring height. Do not use rotator type valve springs or retainers for this application.

• LIFTERS

1. New lifters must be used with new camshaft. Use only the high rev 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.

2. Install new camshaft with new sprockets, timing chain and lifters.

CAUTION: Use Edelbrock Performer-Plus True Rolling

Timing Chain and Gear Set #7812. 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 tim-

ing 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 Sets (7812

series) 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.

• INSTALLING PUSHRODS AND ROCKER ARMS

High performance pushrods and rocker arms and studs are rec-

ommended for this installation.

After the cam is installed and timed correctly (see Figure 2), it

will be necessary to check each pushrod for correct lifter preload.

• VALVE ADJUSTMENT

1. Turn the engine over until the No. 1 cylinder exhaust

lifter starts to move up. At this point install adjusting nut on intake rocker arm and adjust to zero clearance between rocker arm and valve tip. From this point turn adjusting nut down (clockwise) 1/4 turn more for final adjustment.

2. Turn the engine over again until the intake lifter just stops coming down. At this point install adjusting nut on exhaust rocker arm and adjust to zero clearance between rocker arm and valve tip. From this point turn adjusting nut down (clockwise) 1/4 turn more for final adjustment.

3. The above procedure assures correct hydraulic lifter preload. Repeat this procedure for each of the other seven cylinders.

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

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

6. Install crankshaft dampener and torque to 60 ft./lbs.

• INSTALLING DISTRIBUTOR AND TIMING ENGINE

NOTE: Before installing your distributor, check the gear drive

on the distributor and oil pump for any signs of wear. If worn, be sure to replace with new or you may wear out your camshaft prematurely. This is especially true when rebuilding your engine and a high performance oil system is used, which generates a heavier load on the camshaft gear system. Edelbrock camshafts are designed to use OEM-type gears only.

1. Turn the engine over in the direction of rotation until the No. 1 intake valve closes and continue until the pointer on the front cover is approximately 5 degrees BTDC.

2. Re-install the distributor with the rotor pointing towards No. 1 terminal in the cap, and with the vacuum advance canister in its original position.

3. Lightly tighten the hold-down clamp so that the distributor can still be turned to determine final setting using a timing light with the engine running.

4. Replace valve covers, carburetor linkage and remaining vacuum and electrical connections.

5. Re-install air conditioner, if so equipped.

6. Refill radiator with coolant and re-connect battery.

7. Double check all connections, fuel lines, etc. before starting engine.

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