Edelbrock 60039, 60049 user manual

Catalog #60039, #60049
Rev. 2/07 - RS/mc Page 1 of 4

©2007 Edelbrock Corporation

Brochure #63-60039

PERFORMER RPM BUICK CYLINDER HEADS

For 1967-1981 400-455 Buick V8 Engines

Catalog #60039, #60049

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE study these instructions carefully before beginning this installation. Most installations can be accomplished with common tools and

procedures. However, you should be familiar with and comfortable working on your vehicle. If you do not feel comfortable performing this installation,
it is recommended to have the installation completed by a qualified mechanic. If you have any questions, please call our Technical Hotline at:
1-800-416-8628, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm, Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday or e-mail us at [e-mail]

.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Proper installation is the responsibility of the installer. Improper installation

will void your warranty and may result in poor performance and engine or vehicle damage.

DESCRIPTION: Edelbrock Performer RPM Buick Cylinder Heads are designed for street/strip high performance use on 1967-1981, 400-430-455 C.I.D.

Buick V8 engines (Minimum 4.040” bore) and feature a performance range of 1500-6500 rpm for great throttle response throughout the power band
as well as top-end horsepower. The intake and exhaust port openings are CNC machine “matched” and have been designed for maximum flow velocity
when matched with our Performer Buick 455 or B4B intake manifold and a Performer or Thunder Series Carburetor. The deck, intake flange, exhaust
flange, and valve cover flange are in the stock locations. Spark plug location and angle is the same as stock. The heads are machined to accept the
more commonly available small-block Chevrolet stud mounted adjustable rocker arms. Cylinder head features 2.125” intake and 1.750” exhaust valve
sizes. The combustion chamber is as-cast with a volume of 68cc.

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; Viton oil control seals; Hardened steel spring cups; Edelbrock Sure-Seat Valve Springs #5792, retainers #9644,
and valve locks #9615.

NOTE: 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 guide sizing and a valve job to match the valves you will be using.

IMPORTANT NOTES: READ BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION!

1969 AND EARLIER BLOCKS (400 & 430 CID): When converting to pushrod oiled rocker arms (which is the case with Performer RPM cylinder

heads), you must block each rocker shaft oil-supply passage on each side of the block prior to cylinder head installation. Holes are located near the
front of the deck for each cylinder bank. Failure to block off these two passages will result in a loss of oil pressure. These hole sizes may vary. Drill
and tap the holes for an appropriate size pipe plug. If the engine is assembled, you may wish to press-fit an appropriately sized aluminum plug.
Otherwise, extreme caution should be used to prevent ANY metal shavings from entering the oil passage. See the diagram below. 1970 and later 455
blocks do not require this procedure. Edelbrock heads manufactured after 3/1/07 account for this early oil passage by providing additional material
and will seal this passage using only the head gasket.

TYPICAL DECK VIEW OF 1969 AND EARLIER BUICK ENGINE BLOCK

Rocker Shaft Oil-Supply Holes on 1969 and

Earlier 400 & 430 CID Engine Blocks.

Drill And Tap For Appropriately Sized Pipe Plugs

DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SIDE

FRONT

FRONT

®

Catalog #60039, #60049
Rev. 2/07 - RS/mc Page 2 of 4

©2007 Edelbrock Corporation

Brochure #63-60039

ACCESSORIES

Although Edelbrock Performer RPM Buick cylinder heads will accept most OEM components (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. We recommend Edelbrock Head Bolt Kit #8503. Bolt
threads, underside of bolt heads, and washers should be lubricated
with an oil/moly mix prior to installation and torquing. Use thread
sealant on any bolts that go into coolant passages.

• Rocker Arms: Requires adjustable 1.6:1 ratio. Cylinder heads
accept commonly available 3/8” stud-mounted, small-block
Chevrolet rocker arms. The valve springs supplied will
accommodate valve lifts up to .600”. Always check rocker-to-valve
spring and rocker to valve cover clearance before final assembly.

• Intake Manifold: Although stock intake manifolds may be used,
we highly recommend the use of Edelbrock Performer Buick or B4B
intake manifolds. Intake ports are CNC-profiled to match Edelbrock
#7246 intake gaskets which are recommended for this application.

• Exhaust Headers: Most headers or exhaust manifolds designed
for original equipment heads will fit the Edelbrock Performer RPM
Buick Cylinder Heads. Exhaust ports are CNC-profiled to match
Edelbrock #7247 exhaust gaskets which are recommended for this
application.

• Valve Covers: Use any OEM steel, or aftermarket aluminum valve
covers designed to fit stock cylinder heads. When using roller
rockers, the stock valve covers may need to be spaced upwards
with extra thick valve cover gaskets, or by laminating multiple
gaskets together using silicone sealer or gasket adhesive.

• Spark Plugs: Use 14mm x 3/4” reach gasketed spark plugs with
a 5/8” hex. Heat range will vary by application; typical street plug
would be Champion RC12-YC. Use anti-seize compound on the plug
threads to prevent galling in the cylinder head, and torque to the
spark plug manufacturers specification for aluminum heads.

IMPORTANT NOTES: READ BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION!

For a successful installation, the Edelbrock Performer RPM Cylinder
Heads require some components other than original equipment parts. To
complete your installation, you will need the following items:

❑ Head gaskets; Edelbrock #7346

❑ Intake manifold gaskets; Edelbrock #7246

❑ Exhaust gaskets; Edelbrock #7247

❑ Valve cover gaskets; Edelbrock #7546

NOTE: Edelbrock Cylinder Head Gasket Set #7369 may
also be used in place of individual gaskets. This set
contains all gaskets necessary for cylinder head
installation, including cylinder head, intake, exhaust, and
valve cover gaskets.

❑ Edelbrock head bolt kit #8503 (see instructions below)

❑ 14mm x 3/4” reach x 5/8” hex, gasketed spark plugs (heat

range to be determined by specific application)

❑ Adjustable rocker arm assembly. Cylinder head is designed to

use most commonly available Stud Mounted small block
Chevrolet adjustable rocker arms. Always check rocker-to­valve spring and rocker to valve cover clearance before final
assembly. Valve cover modification may be required with the
use of roller rockers (See

Valve Covers

section below).

❑ Pushrods compatible with adjustable rocker arm assembly. We

used Pioneer #815211 in our testing (Length: 9.650”).

CHECKING VALVE-TO-PISTON CLEARANCE: Prior to installation, it is
highly recommended that valve-to-piston clearances are checked and
corrected to minimum specs, if necessary. Minimum intake valve
clearance should be .080”. Minimum exhaust valve clearance should be
.110”. The point of minimum intake valve to piston clearance will usually
occur somewhere between 5° and 20° After Top Dead Center during
valve overlap. The point of minimum exhaust valve to piston clearance
will usually occur 20° to 5° Before Top Dead Center during valve overlap.
Performer RPM Buick heads should be compatible with stock pistons in
engines that have the stock or recommended camshafts. Other than
recommended camshafts may require aftermarket pistons and/or
custom machining of your pistons.

ROCKER GEOMETRY: Rocker geometry should be checked, making
sure that the contact point of the roller (or pad on a stock type rocker
arm) remains properly on the valve tip and does not roll off the edge.
Visual inspection of the rockers, valve springs, retainers, and pushrods
should be made to ensure that none of these components come into
improper contact with each other. If problems with valve train geometry
occur, changes such as pushrod length may have to be made.

BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)