I have heard that hei distributors will not fit stock firebirds (I have a 67)
so is that true?

Nope.

Sometimes there is some interference between the oversize distributor cap and the firewall, sometimes not. Condition of the engine and trans mounts may be part of it. If necessary, the firewall can be adjusted.

HEI's are a cheap way to get electronic but as they said above, it's a tight fit. The aftermarket distributors like the Unilite are a neater way to go if you've got the cash.

I tucked a Pertronix Ignitor II into the stock distributor. There are no fit issues there!

I got an HEI in my 67 convertible without any problem (ok its not an original block but still) and I had about a ¼" of space still left between the cap and firewall

Heres a pic of what i used

I tried to install an HEI into my '69 (original, worn motor and trans mounts) and needed about a quarter inch more clearance. I returned the distributor as I was not about to adjust the firewall with an uncalibrated KED (Kintetic Energy Device). (Thanks for the new phrase, Steve, I like it!)

KED was mine - thief! Use it in good health, mademoiselle.

Trademark it, and I'll pay you a royalty fee.

If your subframe is in the correct location the HEI will fit with a quarter inch to spare. A low trans mount will tip the engine back and also will make the HEI not fit. I managed to put a wopping SuperCoil on top of my HEI. They also offer a computer chip control module for the GM HEI. You can order it custom made for your engine set up.
Jim

thanks everyone
so everyone clearance issue is with the firewall, and its a try it and see if it fits kinda thing
is there a clearance issue with the stock intake manifolds? some of the aftermarket intakes say that they will or will not clear HEI

Stock dual plane intake manifolds will not have issues with fit. If the HEI doesn't fit, check your trans mount and see if it's compressed.

Stock air cleaners may have issue with fit. An aftermarket or later model air cleaner base will be needed to clear the larger cap if you have fitment issues.

Stock GM HEI will fit.
Mine has about a 1/4 clearance from the firewall.

My 69 stock air cleaner fits too.
Jim

I have a Pontiac hei distributor of uknown origin in my 9, and I have an accel super coil on it. As Jim says, if the tranny mount and the subframe don't sag, it will have 1/4" clearence from the firewall. If you know how to adjust metal, you can make the adjustment, and no one buy you will know that it's been adjusted. All rework of metal work is a case of optical illusion, tricking the eye into beliving it's flawless.

thanks guys

KED....awesome! Certainly better than the old BFH.

I've tried the KED, but I find my BFH works better. Not used to new technology, guess I'm just old school.

Do they make a Calibrated KED?

Yes. There really is such a thing.

Calibrated BFH assortment