Skip to product information
1 of 7
Top Street Performance

Ford SB 289/302 V8 Pro Series Ready to Run Distributor

Ford SB 289/302 V8 Pro Series Ready to Run Distributor

SKU: SKU: JM7702R

Regular price $230.85
Sale price $230.85 Regular price $262.33
Shipping calculated at checkout.

In stock

Top Street Performance (TSP) is committed to providing high-quality performance parts while complying with emissions regulations. This product is designed for use on vehicles that comply with federal emissions regulations. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify that this part is legal for use in their state or local jurisdiction. Check with your local emissions authority before purchasing.
Product Downloads

Product Details

Features

  • Onboard ignition module — no separate ignition box required
  • External-coil design supports 35,000V+ coils for more spark energy
  • Direct fit for Ford Windsor 221/260/289/302 carbureted V8s
  • Circuit board module with magnetic pickup holds accurate timing

Description

Upgrade your Ford small block Windsor V8 — 221, 260, 289, or 302 CID — with this Pro Series Ready-to-Run distributor, featuring an onboard circuit board ignition module paired with a magnetic pickup trigger, so there's no separate ignition box to wire in, while the external-coil design keeps the flexibility to run a higher-output coil for street or performance builds. This distributor supports Mustang, Falcon, Fairlane, Bronco, F-Series, Cougar, and Comet applications.

This distributor is built for standard carbureted Windsor applications and will not fit 351W engines. 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. This distributor requires a 12-volt electrical system with an alternator and a coil rated at 35,000 volts or higher; it is not compatible with generator-based charging systems or vehicles still running an active ballast resistor in the ignition circuit — the resistor should be removed or bypassed as part of installation.


What Is a Ready-to-Run (RTR) Distributor?
An RTR distributor has the ignition control module built directly into the housing, so it fires off a single 12-volt source without needing a separate ignition box wired into the circuit. This Pro Series unit pairs that onboard module with a circuit board ignition control and magnetic pickup trigger — a different trigger technology than the multi-pole reluctor/Hall-effect design used on TSP's standard RTR distributor. The coil stays external here, requiring a coil rated at 35,000 volts or higher.

Performance Benefits
The circuit board module and magnetic pickup trigger hold timing steady without the wear and drift of a points-based system, and keeping the coil external allows the use of a higher-output coil than the 35,000-volt minimum if the build calls for more spark energy. Mechanical and vacuum advance are both included, allowing the timing curve to be tuned for carbureted street or performance driving on the 221/260/289/302 Windsor family.

Specs

Distributor Type HEI
Rotation Direction Counterclockwise
Engine Platform Ford Small Block Windsor V8
Trigger Type Magnetic
Advance Type Mechanical and Vacuum
Cap Color Available in Black, Blue, Red
Terminal Gender Male
Mechanical Tach Drive No
Slip Collar No
Coil Included Yes
Coil Type Internal
Coil Output 65,000 V
Gear Material Steel
Housing Material Machined Aluminum
Ignition Box Required No
Marine Use No
Cylinders 8
Voltage Requirement 12 V electrical system with alternator
Included Vacuum Advance Adjustment Tool
Installation Instructions

Engine Fitment

COMPATIBLE WITH
FORD SMALL BLOCK WINDSOR V8
• 3.6 L / 221 in³
• 4.3 L / 260 in³
• 4.7 L / 289 in³
• 5.0 L / 302 in³

NOTES
• Designed for Ford small block Windsor 221, 260, 289, and 302 carbureted applications.
• Will not fit Ford 351W applications.
• Not intended for EFI-equipped 302 engines — see the Ford 5.0L EFI-to-Carb Conversion HEI Distributor for those applications.
• Requires an external coil with a minimum output of 35,000V — no separate ignition box required.
• This distributor is designed for a 12 volt electrical system with an alternator and a performance ignition coil of 35,000 V or more.
• It is not compatible with a generator and cannot be used with a ballast resistor.
• Distributor gear is most compatible with cast iron hydraulic or solid flat tappet camshafts; consult camshaft manufacturer for recommended gear material before installation.

COMMON VEHICLE APPLICATIONS
Ford Fairlane (221/260/289/302, 1962–1970)
Ford Mustang (260/289/302, 1964–1985)
Ford Falcon (221/260/289, 1962–1970)
Ford Bronco (289/302, 1966–1985)
Ford F-Series (289/302, 1965–1985)
Ford Torino (302, 1968–1974)
Ford Maverick (302, 1971–1977)
Ford Ranchero (260/289/302, 1963–1979)
Mercury Cougar (289/302, 1967–1968)
Mercury Comet (260/289, 1963–1969)

Q&A

What's the difference between this and the standard Ready-to-Run distributor?
This Pro Series distributor uses a circuit board ignition module with a magnetic pickup trigger, while the standard Ready-to-Run distributor uses a multi-pole reluctor with a Hall-effect trigger. Both feature an integrated ignition module and eliminate the need for a separate ignition box.

Will this fit a 351 Windsor?
No. This distributor is designed for the Ford 221, 260, 289, and 302 Windsor small block V8 engines only. It is not compatible with 351 Windsor (351W) applications.

Does this distributor include a coil?
No. This is an external-coil Ready-to-Run distributor and requires an ignition coil rated at 35,000 volts or higher, which is sold separately.

Do I need a separate ignition box with this distributor?
No. The ignition control module is built into the distributor housing, so no external ignition box or CDI unit is required.

What direction does the rotor turn on this distributor?
Counterclockwise, viewed from above, matching the standard rotation direction of the Ford Windsor small block V8 family.

What distributor gear is included, and will it work with my camshaft?
This distributor includes a steel distributor gear, which is best suited for cast iron hydraulic or solid flat-tappet camshafts. If your engine uses a roller or other specialty camshaft, verify the recommended distributor gear material with your camshaft manufacturer before installation.

Emissions Notice

This Top Street Performance (TSP) product is designed for racing and off-road competition use only. It is not legal for use on public roads or emissions-controlled vehicles and does not comply with federal, state, or local emissions regulations. The buyer assumes all responsibility for legal use and installation.

What is a Emissions-Controlled Vehicle?
"An emissions-controlled vehicle is any vehicle equipped with a factory-installed emissions control system designed to reduce air pollution. These systems include catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valves, and diesel particulate filters (DPF). Most vehicles manufactured after 1975 are considered emissions-controlled and must comply with federal and state emissions laws when used on public roads."