Pontiac V8 HEI Distributor

Upgrade your Pontiac V8 — 301, 326, 350, 389, 400, 421, 428, or 455 CID — 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. This distributor supports GTO, Firebird, LeMans, Tempest, Grand Prix, Catalina, and Bonneville applications.

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.

What Is an HEI Distributor?
HEI (High Energy Ignition) replaces the external coil and breaker points used in factory Pontiac 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 Pontiac V8 family. The magnetic trigger holds timing accurately without the point wear and drift common to older ignition systems. Mechanical and vacuum advance are both included, with a vacuum advance adjustment tool in the box so the timing curve can be tuned for the specific engine and driving conditions.

COMPATIBLE WITH
PONTIAC V8
• 4.9 L / 301 in³ (1977-1979)
• 5.3 L / 326 in³
• 5.7 L / 350 in³ 
• 6.4 L / 389 in³
• 6.6 L / 400 in³
• 6.9 L / 421 in³
• 7.0 L / 428 in³
• 7.5 L / 455 in³

NOTES
• Designed for traditional Pontiac V8 carbureted applications.
• The 301 uses a redesigned lightweight block with clockwise rotor rotation — verify distributor compatibility before installation on 301 applications.
• Not compatible with Chevrolet, Buick, or Oldsmobile V8 engines that were optionally installed in Pontiac vehicles — this distributor fits Pontiac-built engines only.
• 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
Pontiac Tempest / LeMans (326/350/400/455, 1964–1977)
Pontiac GTO (389/400/421/428/455, 1964–1974)
Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am (326/350/400/428/455, 1967–1979)
Pontiac Grand Prix (389/400/421/428/455, 1962–1979)
Pontiac Catalina (389/400/421/428/455, 1961–1979)
Pontiac Bonneville (389/400/421/428/455, 1961–1979)
Pontiac Star Chief / Executive (389/400/421/428/455, 1961–1970)
Pontiac Safari (400/428/455, 1961–1977)
Pontiac Grand Am (400/455, 1973–1975)
Pontiac Ventura (350, 1973–1977)
Pontiac Phoenix (301/350, 1977–1979)

SPECIFICATIONS
Distributor Type: HEI
Trigger Type: Magnetic
Advance Type: Mechanical and Vacuum
Rotation Direction: Counterclockwise
Cap Color: Available in Red, Blue, Black, Clear
Terminal Gender: Male
Mechanical Tach Drive: No
Slip Collar: No
Coil Included: Yes
Coil Type: Internal
Required Coil Output: 65,000+ Volts
Gear Material: Steel
Housing Material: Machined Aluminum
Ignition Box Required: No
Cylinders: 8
Marine Use: No
Included: Vacuum Advance Adjustment Tool
Installation Instructions