About this product
Upgrade your Pontiac V8 — 326, 350, 389, 400, 421, 428, or 455 CID — with this Pro Series Pro Billet distributor, built with a magnetic pickup trigger for use with a compatible external ignition box and coil. This setup is designed for higher-output ignition systems on Tempest/LeMans, GTO, Firebird/Trans Am, Grand Prix, Catalina, Bonneville, Star Chief/Executive, Safari, Grand Am, and Ventura applications.
This distributor is built for Pontiac-built engines only and is not compatible with Chevrolet, Buick, or Oldsmobile V8 engines that were optionally installed in some Pontiac vehicles. The Pontiac 301 uses a redesigned lightweight block with clockwise rotor rotation — the opposite of the rest of the Pontiac V8 family — so 301 applications need distributor compatibility verified before installation. 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 for 326–455 applications. Requires a compatible external ignition box and a coil rated at 35,000 volts or higher; also requires a 12-volt electrical system with an alternator and is not compatible with generator-based charging systems or vehicles still running an active ballast resistor in the ignition circuit. Timing is set through mechanical advance only.
What Is a Pro Billet Distributor?
A Pro Billet distributor uses a magnetic pickup trigger but, unlike HEI or Ready-to-Run designs, requires a separate external ignition box in addition to an external coil rather than housing that control on board. This setup is common in higher-output or race-oriented ignition systems where the buyer wants to pair the distributor with a specific external box and coil combination rather than an all-in-one unit.
Performance Benefits
The magnetic pickup trigger delivers consistent, wear-free timing signal without the point drift of older breaker-point systems. Because the ignition box and coil are external and separately selected, this setup allows the ignition system to be matched to higher-output requirements than a self-contained distributor typically supports. Mechanical advance handles the timing curve on the Pontiac V8 platform, and the included bushings/springs and color-matched spark plug wire retainer support a clean, complete install.
COMPATIBLE WITH
PONTIAC V8
• 4.9 L / 301 in³ (1977-1979)
• 5.3 L / 326 in³
• 5.7 L / 350 in³ (1968-1977)
• 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
• Traditional Pontiac V8 carbureted applications only.
Pontiac-built engines only — not compatible with Chevrolet, Buick, or Oldsmobile V8s optionally installed in some Pontiac vehicles.
• The 301 uses clockwise rotor rotation (opposite of the 326–455 family, which runs counterclockwise) — verify distributor compatibility before installing on any 301 application.
• Requires a compatible external ignition box in addition to an external coil rated 35,000V or higher — Pro Billet design, distinct from Ready-to-Run/HEI.
• Requires a 12-volt electrical system with an alternator; not compatible with generator-based charging or an active ballast resistor.
• Mechanical advance only.
• Steel distributor gear — best suited to cast iron hydraulic or solid flat-tappet camshafts.
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, 1977–1979)
SPECIFICATIONS
Distributor Type: Pro Series Pro Billet
Rotation Direction: Counterclockwise
Trigger Type: Magnetic
Advance Type: Mechanical
Cap Color: Available in Black, Red
Terminal Gender: Male
Mechanical Tach Drive: No
Slip Collar: Yes
Coil Included: No
Coil Type: External
Coil Output: 35,000+ V
Gear Material: Steel
Housing Material: Machined Aluminum
Ignition Box Required: Yes
Cylinders: 8
Marine Use: No
Included: 3 Bushings and 4 Springs for Mechanical Advance
Color-Matched Spark Plug Wire Retainer with Screws
Description supplied by Top Street Performance through its current Shopify listing. Product, performance, and health claims are the seller’s and have not been independently verified by StorkScout.