HEI Fit

Q: HEI Fit

I am about to throw the engine back into my 1969 bird and thought I’d go ahead and replace the distributor with an HEI unit. As the clearance is so tight to the firewall will any poncho distributor fit or do I have to get the “small cap” one?

A: I’m not aware of any small cap versions that fit a Pontiac block. Installing an HEI in a Firebird is a little of a crap-shoot. Some owners report that they had to “clearance” there firewall with a BFH before the HEI would fit. Others, including myself (in a previous coupe), didn’t have any problems.

The difference may be in the condition of the bushings and sub-frame. When I pulled the sub-frame out of my convertible, the mounting pads that are welded to the sub-frame (which bolts to the base of the firewall), had a hole about as big as the bushing itself. I have serious reservations that an HEI on this car without extensive repair or modifications.

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