Edelbrock RPM 60549, RPM 60559, RPM 63-0046 User Manual

Page 1

©2004 Edelbrock Corporation
Brochure # 63-0046

Rev. 7/04

PERFORMER RPM 454-R ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEADS

for Big-block Chevrolet V8s

CATALOG #60549* (Bare) and #60559* (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:
[e-mail].

DESCRIPTION: The Edelbrock Performer RPM Street Cylinder Head is designed for street high performance use, and is interchangeable with any high

performance rectangular 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 2500-7000 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 #7163 (for square-bore carbs) or #7165 (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. The 118 cc combustion chamber is an 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 all 1965-1996 big-block Chevy 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.

*Not legal for sale or use on pollution-controlled motor vehicles.

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 rectangular port intake manifolds
will fit, the Edelbrock Street Cylinder Heads are matched in size and
operating range with Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifolds
#7163 or #7165. Additionally, any manifold that matches Fel-Pro
gasket #1211 may be used (Edelbrock Torker, Victor Jr., Victor Ram,
etc.). Rectangular port intake manifolds may be used as-is, or port­matched to the same configuration as the cylinder heads for optimum
performance.

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.

PISTONS: Some dome style pistons will not clear the spark plugs
properly, for a complete line of dome pistons designed for these heads
contact piston manufactures like JE or ROSS pistons.

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
Premium Gold #2071,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 over tighten sparkplugs!

NOTE: Spark plugs must be checked for proper piston
clearance, when using dome pistons.

Page 2

©2004 Edelbrock Corporation
Brochure # 63-0046

Rev. 7/04

Edelbrock Corporation • 2700 California St. • Torrance, CA 90503

Tech Line: [phone] • Tech Fax: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

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: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 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 Pressure: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 lbs. @ 1.975

Max. Valve Lift: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700"- Check spring pressures per cam manufacturer.

PLEASE complete and mail your warranty card. Be sure to write the model number of this product in the “Part #____” space. THANK YOU.

Bolt Boss Height

A = 3.38”
B = 2.88”
C = 4.44”
D = 1.38”

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 Edelbrock head
gasket #7302, Fel-Pro head gasket #1017-1 or equivalent. For 454
Gen V engines, use Fel-Pro head gasket #1037, or equivalent. For 502
c.i.d. Gen V engines, use Fel-Pro head gasket #1047 or equivalent.

NOTE: For 454 and smaller Mark IV engines, Edelbrock Cylinder Head
Gasket Set #7362 may be used. The set contains all gaskets
necessary to install these cylinder heads onto a Mark IV engine,
including intake, exhaust, cylinder head, distributor, water neck, and
valve cover gaskets.

Figure 1

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.