Ford BB/351C V8 HEI Distributor

Upgrade your Ford 351 Cleveland, 351 Modified, 400, 429, or 460 V8 ignition system with this HEI-style distributor, built around a magnetic trigger and a 65,000-volt coil housed directly in the unit — so there's no external coil or ignition box to wire in separately. The one-wire hookup simplifies installation on Mustang, Torino, Ranchero, F-Series, Bronco, Thunderbird, Cougar, Montego, Lincoln Continental, and De Tomaso Pantera applications.

This distributor is built for the Ford 335-Series and 385-series big block family and will not fit Ford 351 Windsor (351W) engines. The housing is machined aluminum with a steel drive gear best matched to cast iron hydraulic or solid flat-tappet camshafts, and rotation is counterclockwise. This distributor requires a 12-volt electrical system with an alternator; it is not compatible with generator-based charging systems or vehicles still running an active ballast resistor in the ignition circuit — the resistor should be removed or bypassed as part of installation. Designed for carbureted applications only.

What Is an HEI Distributor?
HEI (High Energy Ignition) replaces the external coil and breaker points used in factory Ford ignition systems with a magnetic trigger and a high-output coil built directly into the distributor housing. Without points to wear or require periodic gap adjustment, timing holds more consistently, and this single unit replaces both the original distributor and ignition coil.

Performance Benefits
The 65,000-volt internal coil produces stronger spark output than a factory points-style distributor, supporting more consistent spark delivery across the RPM range on the 351C, 351M, 400, 429, and 460. The magnetic trigger holds timing accurately without the point wear and drift common to older ignition systems. Mechanical and vacuum advance are both included, allowing the timing curve to be tuned for the specific engine and driving conditions.

COMPATIBLE WITH
FORD 335-SERIES & BIG BLOCK V8
• 5.8 L / 351 in³ (351C — Cleveland)
• 5.8 L / 351 in³ (351M — Modified)
• 6.6 L / 400 in³
• 7.0 L / 429 in³
• 7.5 L / 460 in³

NOTES
• Fits Ford 351 Cleveland, 351 Modified, 400, 429, and 460 V8 applications.
• Will not fit Ford 351 Windsor — that is a different engine family requiring a different distributor.
• The 351C was produced from 1970–1974; the 351M and 400 from 1975–1982; the 429 from 1968–1973; the 460 from 1968–1978 in carbureted form.
• Designed for carbureted applications only.
• This distributor is designed for a 12 volt electrical system with an alternator. 
• It is not compatible with a generator and cannot be used with a ballast resistor.
• Distributor gear is most compatible with cast iron hydraulic or solid flat tappet camshafts; consult camshaft manufacturer for recommended gear material before installation.

COMMON VEHICLE APPLICATIONS
Ford Mustang (351C, 1970–1973)
Ford Torino (351C/400, 1970–1976)
Ford Ranchero (351C/400, 1970–1979)
Ford LTD (400/429/460, 1968–1978)
Ford Thunderbird (429/460, 1968–1976)
Ford F-Series (351M/400/429/460, 1968–1982)
Ford Bronco (351M/400, 1977–1982)
Ford Country Squire (400/429/460, 1971–1978)
Mercury Cougar (351C, 1970–1974)
Mercury Montego (351C/400, 1970–1976)
Lincoln Continental (460, 1968–1978)
Lincoln Mark III / Mark IV / Mark V (460, 1969–1979)
De Tomaso Pantera (351C, 1971–1974)

SPECIFICATIONS
Distributor Type: HEI
Cap Color: Available in Red, Blue, Black, Orange, Clear
Rotation Direction: Counterclockwise
Engine Platform: Ford 335-Series & Big Block V8
Trigger Type: Magnetic
Advance Type: Mechanical and Vacuum
Cap Style: Male
Mechanical Tach Drive: No
Slip Collar: No
Coil Included: Yes
Coil Type: Internal
Coil Output: 65,000 V
Gear Material: Steel
Housing Material: Machined Aluminum
Ignition Box Required: No
Marine Use: No
Cylinders: 8
Voltage Requirement: 12 V electrical system with alternator