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Edelbrock Performer RPM Power Package - Total Power ... In A PackageOut Of The Box & On Your Block, Edelbrock's Top End Kit Delivers Performance From the March, 2010 issue of Rod & Custom By Rob Fortier
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Out of the box and on your... Out of the box and on your block-turn an ordinary engine into real "performer" with an Edelbrock Total Performance RPM Power Package. Achieving performance results from any engine isn't rocket science by an means. There are numerous means of increasing horsepower, from a simple carb swap all the way up to a full-blown rebuild. In order to not only maximize power gains, but also your investments, you need to ensure that the engine's components work in harmony. By mixing and matching that's not always easy to accomplish. With an Edelbrock Total Power Package, it's a done deal-they've done all the harmonizing for you! With the Edelbrock Performer RPM Power Package, for instance, you have a system that provides optimized performance: 64cc aluminum cylinder heads that have been matched to a dual-plane intake manifold; an aggressive yet street driveable hydraulic roller cam with more lift and duration than its competition; and, as with the heads, a carburetor that's ready to run out of the box. No guessing, no experimenting, and maybe best of all, no wasting money in the process. I recently acquired a brand-new reman Chevy small-block 350-it's one of the long-blocks like you'd find for around $1,000 at the major chain auto parts stores. From the appearance, it seemed like one of the "nicer" rebuilts (I've always been a bit skeptical of these types of engines, for various reasons), but before throwing it in a vehicle, I wanted to put any doubts to rest and tear it down. In doing so, I figured it would be a perfect guinea pig for the above-mentioned, as who knows what combination of reciprocating parts was used in rebuilding. All I really knew for sure was that it was a '69 350 ... and it was blue! While the Performer RPM Power Package is indeed in the class of DIY engine upgrades (especially with the complete cylinder heads), rather than attempting to install everything myself, I opted to have Speed-O-Motive perform the job. For one, I wanted a professional evaluation of the engine prior to throwing any amount of money into it, but just as importantly, my confidence level would only be increased by having it done right. Recently acquired (from a... Recently acquired (from a project destined for a big-block), this "target" 350 Chevy reman looked decent for all intents and purposes-but my intent was reliability, and there was no purpose in faith or trust, especially when I didn't know just who to trust! Time to ditch those iron heads for starters. As it would turn out, the engine is of the four-bolt main variety (both two- and four-bolt versions were available in 1969), and contrary to my suspicions, was rebuilt quite competently with only one questionable part-a used oil pump. However, that one part could have led to my engine's demise had it not been discovered prior to running it. Along with installing a new, high-volume pump, Speed-O-Motive transformed the 350 into a stout daily driver producing more than respectable horsepower in the 1,500- to 6,500-rpm range. If you're looking to milk more ponies from your engine, instead of playing the match game with various parts, consider one of Edelbrock's Total Power Packages. Available for Chevy, Ford, Chrysler, and other popular makes, their proven top-end kits do just what their name suggests-provide total power ...in a package!  Nowadays, with oils lacking...  Nowadays, with oils lacking the properties that once helped with break-in, along with adequately lubing the cam during installation, using a proper oil additive is a MUST (Edelbrock recommends GM "EOS" supplement).  After ordering up the Performer...  After ordering up the Performer RPM Package, I headed up to Speed-O-Motive in West Covina, CA, engine and parts in tow. First order of business was for Edson Gutierez to tear the long-block down to short, ultimately revealing whether or not I'd have anything worth moving forward with.  With everything stripped down...  With everything stripped down and cleaned, Bill Shoemaker began the installation with the Performer RPM camshaft. While the hydraulic roller features a more aggressive lobe profile, there is no excessive valve overlap, which makes for a very street-friendly cam.  Using the right timing chain...  Using the right timing chain is also very important. The late-model sets were intended for emission-controlled vehicles, thus are machined to retard the timing position-the Edelbrock Performer-Link features a three-position keyway for adjustable timing (though "0" is used in most applications).  Contrary to some engine builders,...  Contrary to some engine builders, Shoemaker doesn't pre-soak lifters (he feels that adversely affects pushrod sizing). Instead, lifter galleys are liberally doused with oil; lifters heavily coated in assembly lube.  With all the hydraulic lifters...  With all the hydraulic lifters in place, the Performer RPM cylinder heads were installed with the supplied ARP head bolts (specific for aluminum heads). The 64cc heads are torqued to 65 lb-ft in 40-, 55-, 65-pound increments.  While the pushrod guide plates...  While the pushrod guide plates are pre-installed by Edelbrock, they may need adjusting for proper pushrod clearance-it's important to ensure that there's no interference, and adjustment is easier done before than it is after.  An easy way to install your...  An easy way to install your intake "leak-free": a light adhesive (such as my favorite, Gasgacinch) to hold the gaskets; a fat bead of high-temp silicone along the front and rear (no gasket).  The rocker arms of choice...  The rocker arms of choice ended up being the bullet-proof COMP Cams 1.52 Pro Magnums along with matching (7.900-inch) pushrods.  With the Performer RPM Air...  With the Performer RPM Air Gap manifold snugly in place, the hard-part installation portion at Speed-O-Motive was now complete.  Above and beyond the Total...  Above and beyond the Total Performance Package, the top end was also treated to an Edelbrock Thunder Series AVS 650-cfm square-bore carburetor. Like their Performer carbs, the AVS four-barrels are pre-calibrated and ready to run out of the box.  For a little change of pace,...  For a little change of pace, rather than going with the typical polished aluminum I might normally choose, I decided to give Edelbrock's black powdercoated Classic Series valve covers and air cleaner a shot.  For the fuel pump, filter,...  For the fuel pump, filter, and hose, Edelbrock offers a variety of options-for this application, to match the existing accessories, a Russell ProClassic pump-to-carb hose kit was used in conjunction with a polished Edelbrock fuel filter and carb fitting kit.  Hedman had just come out with...  Hedman had just come out with their Tight Tube block-hugger headers when I was finishing up the 350-knowing it's likely this engine will end up in the '53 Chevy, these compact headers will "fit" perfectly.  Edelbrock's unique Classic...  Edelbrock's unique Classic Series air cleaners provide a clean, complementing look, especially with hidden fasteners. Each comes equipped with a washable element.  Finally, with one of their...  Finally, with one of their points-style caps atop (in lieu of the standard HEI type), MSD's Pro Billet distributor will eventually provide the increased spark for the small-block. But prior to initially firing it up, along with the aforementioned break-in oil additive, it's equally imperative to first prime the engine before even turning it over.  And there she be. About the...  And there she be. About the only tell-tale signs of her past lineage is the blue engine paint-otherwise, she's had a total makeover ... a Total Power Package makeover, that is.
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