The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Ignition Kits

Hello all,
I have a 1971 C60 with a 366.
I am flummoxed at finding a local sourced ignition kit (Wires, Points, Cap, Rotor) for this engine.

My local parts guys (3 places) said: "Nope. Only have the HEI Distributor."
Sigh.

Summit has several kits.
Does anyone have the ACDelco / crossmatch part numbers?
I am sure they have them - It's the guys behind the counter who don't have a clue.

Thanks again for all the help.

I am starting to haul loads now and probably all summer and fall.
Many loads to go ~30 loads of topsoil and ~40 loads of quarried LARGE rocks.
I'll have the local steel shop put a 1/4" cold rolled plate in the bed (then remove the gate and replace with chains) before the rock hauling to keep from poking holes.
;-)

Why not just buy the parts individually? Is a "kit" some sort of requirement? There are plenty of universal-fit V8 wire sets and the rest of the parts should be available from any parts catalog. The trick is finding an oldtime counter guy who can still read a paper catalog!
Jerry

Do you know a V8 HEI off a 396 etc will not fit?

Ed

I find RockAuto a handy site that usually shows multiple vendors for the same part. Not sure about your specific request though.

Dennis

I agree with HRL. Just look for ignition parts for any 1971 GMC big block and compare to yours. The only thing that is specific to the "tall deck" big blocks is the length of the distributor drive. The very early TD BBC also had gear drive cams. Other than that, I believe GM used a lot of common V8 ignition parts from the 50's throughout the 70's. Try RockAuto for a 1971 GMC 454 and take a look at the pictures.

SimS

Hi all,

Thanks for the info.

Hot Rod Lincoln - Yes individual parts will do but the newfangled computers don't list them. Sigh.
And it would be good to find a knowledgeable counter guy - I will now refer to them as 'desk jockeys.'

Ed Pruss - I've read a lot about the HEI changeover for the TB BBC.
Seems you need to switch the gear on the bottom of the shaft or change the oil pump and pump drive rod (if gear change is not an option).
The difference: Standard oil pump connection used a pin/slot. The HD engine used a hex drive / rod oil pump.
It also MUST be for a Tall Block though.

DennisM - Used Rock Auto to get a bunch of cross reference numbers the local desk jockeys can hopefully use.

SimS - Yes - I believe the 71 anything big block will function well. The dwell and plug gap can be slightly different based on engine.
Glad I got my service manual back from my local repair shop.

Just last year I went our CARQUEST store and ordered cap,wires,rotor plugs,points and condesor for a
74 C65 with the 427 CI Non HEI Engine no problem.
Wouldn't know why a 366 would be any different?

Cap was CARQUEST C158P
Wires are CARQUEST 35-8333
Rotor was CARQUEST D138P
Points were CARQUEST BWD A120P
Condenser CARQUEST G129P

Those numbers should be the same as Borq.Warner and Napa
Tom

It's not the counter guys fault. There is very little info on the 366. They don't know it has the same distributor as a 1971 350. So just ask for ignition parts for that motor. O'Reilly's has all the parts for your reference. Search under 1971 C20 350 parts or.........265, 283, 307, 327, 396, 400, 402, 454. Up to mid 70's motors with points. I mention O'Reilly's because they have a friendly return policy if parts don't fit. "Acme Auto Parts" does not.

It seems that the "Tall" in Tall Deck has been compensated for on the intake dizzy pad height.

AND.... Stands to reason that many HEI's from a SBC or BBC will plop right in. That would be better reliability. I have swapped to HEI on several SBC and BBC. Very easy. Two pin, vacuum advance pre 80's era HEI, not electronic timing control 7 pin style. $5-$10 at swap meets.

my 59 Spartan has a 366. i replaced the old distributor with an off the shelf MSD HEI from advance. it dropped right in but i did have change the oil pump drive shaft as the original was slotted differently. Bartamos is right, the intake is lower where the distributor is so length is same as any big block. hope this helps.
gene