Edelbrock Performer Carburetor and Intake Install:

I did this upgrade on my rig in May of 2002. It helps with throttle response, and over all power. I also got a lot better gas mileage then I did with my 4350 (stock 4v carb). Here is a list of what is needed.

1 Edelbrock Performer Intake with out EGR part #2131 $168 (the intake with EGR is part #3731 around $240)

1 Edelbrock Performer 600CFM Carburetor with Electric Choke Part #1406 $224.00 (carb with manual choke is #1405 $200, no thematic choke model available)

1 Fel-Pro Steel Valley Pan Gasket $22.00 (part number evades me right now, most auto parts stores will have one, it comes with the front and rear rubber seals as well)

You will also need coolant for the radiator (you have to drain it at least 1/2 way before removing the intake) You will also need fresh oil to put in after running the engine for a few minutes with the new intake/carb) You also might want to get some vacuum plugs and vacuum line. As well as fuel line. And you have to have a new fuel filter, otherwise you void edelbrock's warranty.

Luckily removing the intake on an AMC V8 is pretty simple compared to some other V8's. You don't have to touch the distributor like in a Ford/Chevy. You do need to map you vacuum line layout before removing the old intake. Once the intake is removed (have another person with you, it weighs 74 pounds) you need to remove the old gasket. Then plug the intake ports, exhaust cross over, and water jackets with some rags. (Also be careful of the holes in the bottom of the lifter valley) Clean the gasket surface very well. (I used a softer wire wheel on a drill, be very careful doing this, not to get contaminants inside the motor)

You then need to take the heat shield off the bottom of the old intake with a grinder of some sort (cutting the rivets that hold it in) Then put it on the new intake, this VERY important to put on. Edelbrock stresses this.

Once this is done, you can proceed with putting the new intake on. Your gasket surfaces should be already cleaned by now. Just before putting the gasket down, take some enamel reducer, or acetone and wipe all the gasket surfaces down. This will remove any oil's that may cause the gaskets to leak.

Place the 2 rubber seals for the front and rear seals onto the engine block in their respective places. Make sure you wiped the inside of them with enamel reducer/acetone to remove anything that may cause them to leak. Also be sure that the metal they go on is cleaned. Place them on and be sure they are lined up.

Pre-bend the valley pan so that it goes on with fewer troubles. Put a bead of RTV on the gasket around where the water jackets will line up (top and bottom), but only around the water jackets. Place the gasket down on the engine. Be sure it is lined up, it will kind of "snap" under a lip on the heads. You can then proceed to put the intake on. When placing the intake down, it is best to have a friend help you lower it down, because it has to be straight. One thing to look out for is the rear rubber seal likes to slide off in this process. So watch out for that.

Once the intake is down, you can now go and place the bolts in, making sure they line up. Once you have gotten all the bolts to line up with the gasket, finger them all in finger tight. (Recheck front and rear seals that they are lined up) Then follow the torque sequence provided with the intake instructions. It’s fairly simple, start from the center and work your way out. Until all bolts are at 20ft pounds. (You will need to recheck their torque after the engine has been warmed up and driven)

You can then proceed to put the stuff on the intake. Vacuum ports, thermostat (I put a 160 in) and the EGR if you chose to get an intake with the EGR port. I found it easier to hook up all vacuum lines before you put the carb on.

Next you can put the carburetor on. Studs and nuts are provided with the intake. You will need to put a longer length of fuel line on to reach the fuel port of the edelbrock, since it is off to the passenger side. (My 4350's was in front, you guys going from the 2150 may not have to) The edelbrock carburetor comes set rich. All you need to do is check the idle mixture screws on the front. Mines where out to 3 turns. I set them at 1.5 turns, and later set them to around 2 turns using a vacuum gauge adjusting them to get the most vacuum at idle. (Turns = screw them all the way in, then screw out the # of turns stated above) I hooked my vacuum advance to the port on the passenger side. This one is for timed vacuum, the driver side is to go to the EGR valve (if you have one) I hooked my PCV valve into the back vacuum port on the carburetor. And plugged the one on the front. I have no power brakes, if you have power brakes, you will need to hook the vacuum booster to one of the ports (front or rear).

To get my rig started a pored a tad bit of gas down the carburetor to prime it, then it started right up and ran. Don't forget to put coolant back in before you start it. After running it for a few minutes (I took mine around the block) change the oil to get rid of anything that may have gotten in there while the intake was off.

Feel free to post in the FORUMS with any questions regarding this write up.

The Edelbrock Performer 1406 installation manual can be downloaded HERE.