Replacement Distributor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

VetteC10 · 02-11-2018, 04:12 PM

Hi, new the forum, I just purchased a 66 C10 with a 327, and looking to replace the distributor with an upgraded electronic model. I tried an HEI and a Petronix, and neither would fit due to firewall clearance. Does anyone know what brand/model will clear the firewall?

Thanks in advance.

**Palf70Step** · 02-11-2018, 06:22 PM

I had a factory HEI and a replacement from Speedway in my 64. I could not put it in with the cap on though. Once in place , I could put cap on and had clearance. It was close, but never hit. Just could not insert or remove it with the caps inplace.

VetteC10 · 02-11-2018, 06:25 PM

I removed the cap and rotor on both the HEI and the Petronix, and both are hitting the firewall. the HEI almost got in if I wanted to force it, but the petronix is longer, and I can't even get the shaft down into the hole.

**jayoldschool** · 02-11-2018, 06:36 PM

Use the stock distributor, small cap, and use an internal Pertronix kit. That's exactly what I did on my 65 327 in my Impala. Works perfectly, I run much more advance, starts immediately, has much more power. I'm still on points on my 65 truck, but will switch it over some time.

VetteC10 · 02-11-2018, 07:02 PM

I was considering that. the distributor i took out looks like it has an older conversion in it, but since I bought it not running, was wanting to upgrade if possible.

sprinter11r · 02-11-2018, 07:02 PM

I have a 64 with HEI and no clearance problems. could your cab mount bushings be collapsed?

65chevysub · 02-11-2018, 07:05 PM

I did the same as jayoldschool did. I used a stock distributor with the Pertronix ob my 65 Subyrban with a 283. Been running that way for atleast 20 years. Hard to believe I know but its still going.

Macdaddy1 · 02-11-2018, 07:06 PM

I have a 327 in my 65 and have to take the cap off to install distributor and then put cap on afterward. It is tight but just makes it.

VetteC10 · 02-11-2018, 07:13 PM

good question about the cab bushings. I almost had the HEI in, but since it was new, I didn't want to bag it up (or the firewall) forcing it. I didn't need much more space to get it in, so maybe the cab bushings are the cause. I am sure they are old.

**jayoldschool** · 02-11-2018, 09:39 PM

A third option is the F body or the S10 small cap remote coil HEI.

02-11-2018, 04:12 PM	#1
VetteC10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Edwardsville IL Posts: 43	Replacement Distributor Hi, new the forum, I just purchased a 66 C10 with a 327, and looking to replace the distributor with an upgraded electronic model. I tried an HEI and a Petronix, and neither would fit due to firewall clearance. Does anyone know what brand/model will clear the firewall? Thanks in advance.

02-11-2018, 06:22 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,249	Re: Replacement Distributor I had a factory HEI and a replacement from Speedway in my 64. I could not put it in with the cap on though. Once in place , I could put cap on and had clearance. It was close, but never hit. Just could not insert or remove it with the caps inplace. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

02-11-2018, 06:25 PM	#3
VetteC10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Edwardsville IL Posts: 43	Re: Replacement Distributor I removed the cap and rotor on both the HEI and the Petronix, and both are hitting the firewall. the HEI almost got in if I wanted to force it, but the petronix is longer, and I can't even get the shaft down into the hole.

02-11-2018, 06:36 PM	#4
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: Replacement Distributor Use the stock distributor, small cap, and use an internal Pertronix kit. That's exactly what I did on my 65 327 in my Impala. Works perfectly, I run much more advance, starts immediately, has much more power. I'm still on points on my 65 truck, but will switch it over some time.

02-11-2018, 07:02 PM	#5
VetteC10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Edwardsville IL Posts: 43	Re: Replacement Distributor I was considering that. the distributor i took out looks like it has an older conversion in it, but since I bought it not running, was wanting to upgrade if possible.

02-11-2018, 07:02 PM	#6
sprinter11r Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: lincoln, missouri Posts: 72	Re: Replacement Distributor I have a 64 with HEI and no clearance problems. could your cab mount bushings be collapsed?

02-11-2018, 07:05 PM	#7
65chevysub Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Cottonwood, Arizona Posts: 1,382	Re: Replacement Distributor I did the same as jayoldschool did. I used a stock distributor with the Pertronix ob my 65 Subyrban with a 283. Been running that way for atleast 20 years. Hard to believe I know but its still going.

02-11-2018, 07:06 PM	#8
Macdaddy1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Niceville Florida Posts: 347	Re: Replacement Distributor I have a 327 in my 65 and have to take the cap off to install distributor and then put cap on afterward. It is tight but just makes it.

02-11-2018, 07:13 PM	#9
VetteC10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Edwardsville IL Posts: 43	Re: Replacement Distributor good question about the cab bushings. I almost had the HEI in, but since it was new, I didn't want to bag it up (or the firewall) forcing it. I didn't need much more space to get it in, so maybe the cab bushings are the cause. I am sure they are old.

02-11-2018, 09:39 PM	#10
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: Replacement Distributor A third option is the F body or the S10 small cap remote coil HEI.



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