Edelbrock E-TEC 170, E-TEC 200, 60959, 60969, 60979 Installation Instructions Manual

Part #60959, 60969, 60979, 60989
Rev. 1/09 - AJ/mc Page 1 of 4

©2009 Edelbrock Corporation

Brochure #63-0155

E-TEC 170 AND E-TEC 200 ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS

For Small Block Chevrolet Using Vortec Style Manifolds

Part #60959, #60969 (Bare)

Part #60979, #60989 (Complete)

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 E-Tec 170 cylinder heads are designed for street/high performance use on 302, 327, 350, and 400 c.i.d. Small block

Chevrolet engines using Vortec style manifolds. E-Tec 200 cylinder heads are high-end street and racing cylinder heads intended for large
displacement small block Chevrolet engines. Both of these heads feature 64cc combustion chambers. Complete cylinder heads come assembled with
valvetrain parts capable of operating up to 6500 rpm. Higher rpm applications will require the use of suitable valvetrain parts, such as larger
valve springs and retainers. Other outstanding features include phosphor-bronze valve guides, ductile iron valve seats and premium one-piece,
stainless steel, high-flow valves, heat-treated machined steel retainers and valve locks, rocker studs, 5/16” guide plates, and heavy duty valve springs
which work with cams having valve lifts up to .600”. Spring load at .600” lift is 340 lbs. Check camshaft manufacturer’s spring load specifications
when using other than Edelbrock camshafts. These powerful heads use the stock Vortec location for intake and exhaust flanges and bolt holes,
and centerbolt valve cover rails for compatibility with original equipment and aftermarket parts. Bolt holes for exhaust and intake flanges and rocker
studs are fitted with helicoil inserts for increased strength.

APPLICATIONS:

60959 (bare) / 60979 (complete) - 302, 327, 350, and 400 c.i.d. Small block Chevrolet engines using Vortec style manifolds. They also

replace original equipment on 1996 through 1998 Vortec 5.7L equipped vehicles (C.A.R.B. E.O.
pending. Call Edelbrock for detailed information). E-Tec 170 feature high velocity 170cc intake
ports and 70cc exhaust ports. Complete heads feature installed 1.940” intake and 1.550” exhaust
valves.

60696 (bare) / 60989 (complete) - Intended for large displacement small block Chevrolet engines. E-Tec 200 cylinder heads feature

200cc intake and 78cc exhaust ports. Complete cylinder heads include 2.020” intake and 1.600”
exhaust valves.

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 on 6097; High quality vitton lip seals with metal jacket on 6098

• Edelbrock Sure-Seat valve springs #5767

• Retainers #9724

• Valve keepers #9616 for PN 6098, #9611 for PN 6097

• Valve spring seats #5769

• 5/16” pushrod guide plates, or hardened washers* for use with self-aligning rocker arms.

*When using self-aligning rocker arms, remove guide plates and install the supplied hardened washers underneath the rocker studs.

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.

®

Part #60959, 60969, 60979, 60989
Rev. 1/09 - AJ/mc Page 2 of 4

©2009 Edelbrock Corporation

Brochure #63-0155

IMPORTANT NOTES: READ BEFORE BEGINNING INSTALLATION!

For a successful installation, Edelbrock E-Tec 170/200 Cylinder Heads
require some components other than original equipment parts. To
complete your installation, you will need the following items:

❑ Head gaskets; Edelbrock # 7310, Fel-Pro #7733 PT-2 or

#17030 Marine Gasket, GM #10105117, or Detroit Gasket
#5565HG (see installation instructions)

❑ Intake manifold gaskets; Edelbrock #7235, GM #12529094; or

Fel-Pro #1255 or equivalent

❑ Exhaust gaskets; Edelbrock #7204, Fel-Pro #1404 for PN 6097,

#1405 for PN 6098, or equivalent

NOTE: Edelbrock Cylinder Head Gasket Set #7367 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 #8550 (see instructions below)

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

range to be determined by specific application)

❑ Non-self aligning, roller tip rocker arms such as Crane #11801-

16, Sealed Power #R-865R, Pioneer-Barnes #818001, or
equivalent, or self-aligning rocker arms such as GM
#12495490 (stamped steel, 1.5:1 ratio), GM #12370838
(aluminum roller, 1.5:1 ratio), & GM #12370839 (aluminum
roller 1.6:1 ratio) or equivalent

❑ Hardened Pushrods; .100” longer-than-stock (if using stock

type rocker arms); Cam Dynamics #1002; Competition Cams
#7693-16; Crane #11622-16; Crower #70311-2; Isky #203 HG
+ .100; Pioneer-Barnes #815215, or equivalent (for
conventional hydraulic lifter cams), Competition Cams #7949­16; Isky #203-HG Minus .460; Lunati #83132; or equivalent (for
hydraulic roller lifter cams)

CHECKING CLEARANCES: Prior to installation, it is highly recommended
that valve-to-piston clearances are checked and corrected to minimum
specs, if necessary. A minimum of 0.100” clearance is recommended for
both intake and exhaust. These cylinder heads have different than stock
valve sizes and may not work with the valve pockets in stock pistons,
especially if a high lift cam is used. The use of aftermarket pistons and/or
custom machining to your pistons may be required. Actual valve-to­piston clearance should be specified by your camshaft manufacturer. If
these cylinder heads are used on small bore engines, valve-to-bore
clearance should also be checked, and the top of the bore notched for
clearance, if necessary.

ROCKER GEOMETRY: Rocker geometry should be checked, making
sure that the contact point of the roller (or pad on a stock 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

ACCESSORIES

Although Edelbrock E-Tec 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 #8550 includes all bolts which
must be used with these cylinder heads. Stock head bolts may be
used if they meet these specs for length: 1-3/4” (short bolts); 3”
(medium bolts); 3- 13/16” (long bolts). Bolts not meeting these
specs do not have enough thread engagement for use with
hardened washers. The recommended hardened washers are GM
#10051155, ARP #200-8511, or equivalent. 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 and Valve Train: Stock (stamped type) rockers will
require +.100” longer-than-stock hardened pushrods to maintain
proper geometry. The valve springs supplied will accommodate
valve lifts up to .600”, which is much higher than stock rocker arms
will allow. Long slot stamped or roller rocker arms will be required
if your camshaft has more than .480” lift.

CAUTION: Some Chevrolet V8 cylinder heads, including Vortec
heads, are factory-equipped with “self-aligning” rocker arms.

These rocker arms have a stamped recess on the valve tip end
to guide the rocker arm on the valve stem which allows the
rocker arm to guide the pushrod. Edelbrock E-Tec cylinder
heads are equipped with both hardened pushrod guideplates
and hardened washers to be used with “self-aligning” rocker
arms. In any case, always check rocker-to-valve tip alignment
and adjust as needed.

• Valve Covers: E-Tec heads will accept standard perimeter bolt and
centerbolt valve covers. The Perimeter bolt pattern is not in stock
location. Check accessory bracket fit before using perimeter bolt
style valve covers with these heads. Edelbrock perimeter pattern
#4449, 4248, or 4244 or centerbolt pattern #4246 and 4247 will
work with E-Tec heads.

NOTE: Most taller than stock valve covers will interfere with
the EGR valve and are not legal on emission-controlled
vehicles. Perimeter bolt pattern valve covers MUST use the
four (4) supplied rubber washers between the valve cover and
any metal washers being used, as well as a bit of RTV silicone
sealer between the valve cover bolt heads, and their
corresponding metal washers, in order to prevent oil leaks.