Ford FE/FT Heavy-Duty V8 HEI Distributor with 5/16" Shaft
Ford FE/FT Heavy-Duty V8 HEI Distributor with 5/16" Shaft
SKU: SKU: JM6508-5R
In stock
Product Details
Features
- Internal 65,000V coil delivers stronger spark for FE/FT heavy-duty V8s
- One-wire hookup — no external coil or ignition box required
- Built for 5/16" shaft FE/FT truck engines: 330, 361, 391 CID
- Machined aluminum housing with included vacuum advance tool
Description
Upgrade your Ford FE/FT heavy-duty truck V8 ignition system with this HEI-style distributor, built around a magnetic trigger and a 65,000-volt coil housed directly in the unit — so there's no external coil or ignition box to wire in separately. The one-wire hookup simplifies installation on F-Series medium-duty, C-Series, N-Series, B-Series, and industrial FE/FT applications.
This distributor is equipped with a 5/16-inch oil pump/distributor shaft for heavy-duty FE/FT truck engines — 330, 361, and 391 CID — and will not fit standard light-duty FE applications that use the smaller 1/4-inch shaft. 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; 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. Designed for carbureted applications only.
What Is an HEI Distributor?
HEI (High Energy Ignition) replaces the external coil and breaker points used in factory Ford FE truck ignition systems with a magnetic trigger and a high-output coil built directly into the distributor housing. Without points to wear or require periodic gap adjustment, timing holds more consistently, and this single unit replaces both the original distributor and ignition coil.
Performance Benefits
The 65,000-volt internal coil produces stronger spark output than a factory points-style distributor, supporting more consistent spark delivery across the RPM range on heavy-duty 330/361/391 FT engines. The magnetic trigger holds timing accurately without the point wear and drift common to older ignition systems. Mechanical and vacuum advance are both included, with a vacuum advance adjustment tool in the box so the timing curve can be tuned for medium-duty truck and industrial applications.
Specs
| Distributor Type | HEI |
| Engine Platform | Ford FE/FT Heavy-Duty V8 |
| Trigger Type | Magnetic |
| Rotation Direction | Counterclockwise |
| Advance Type | Mechanical and Vacuum |
| Cap Color | Available in Black, Blue, Red, Clear |
| 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 FE/FT HEAVY-DUTY V8 (5/16" SHAFT)
• 5.4 L / 330 in³ (FT Heavy-Duty)
• 5.9 L / 361 in³ (FT Heavy-Duty)
• 6.4 L / 391 in³ (FT Heavy-Duty)
NOTES
• Designed specifically for heavy-duty FT truck applications using a 5/16 in. oil pump/distributor shaft.
• Will not fit standard light-duty FE passenger car or pickup truck applications — those use a smaller ¼ in. shaft and require a different distributor.
• The FT 330, 361, and 391 are heavy-duty variants of the FE engine family, used exclusively in medium-duty commercial trucks and buses — not interchangeable with light-duty FE components.
• The FT engines were produced from 1964–1977 in carbureted form.
• Designed for carbureted applications only.
• This distributor is designed for a 12 volt electrical system with an alternator.
• 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 F-500 / F-600 / F-700 Medium-Duty Trucks (330/361/391, 1964–1977)
Ford C-Series Cab-Over Trucks (330/361/391, 1964–1977)
Ford N-Series Cab-Over Trucks (330/361/391, 1964–1977)
Ford L-Series / Louisville Trucks (361/391, 1967–1977)
Ford B-Series School Bus Chassis (330/361/391, 1964–1977)
Q&A
What's the difference between this and the standard FE distributor?
This version is equipped with a 5/16-inch oil pump/distributor shaft for heavy-duty Ford FE/FT truck engines. It is not compatible with light-duty FE applications that use the smaller 1/4-inch shaft.
Will this fit a 390 or 427 passenger car engine?
No. This distributor is designed specifically for Ford 330, 361, and 391 FT heavy-duty truck engines with a 5/16-inch shaft. It is not compatible with light-duty FE passenger car engines such as the 390 or 427.
Do I need an external ignition box with this distributor?
No. This HEI distributor features an integrated 65,000-volt ignition coil and internal ignition module, so no external ignition box or separate coil is required. Installation requires only a switched 12-volt power connection.
What direction does the rotor turn on this distributor?
Counterclockwise, viewed from above, matching the standard rotation direction of the Ford FE/FT engine family.
What type of 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.
Does this fit industrial or bus applications, not just trucks?
Yes. This distributor fits Ford FE/FT applications using the 5/16-inch oil pump/distributor shaft, including F-Series medium-duty trucks, C-Series trucks, N-Series trucks, B-Series buses, and industrial engine applications.
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."
Ford FE/FT Heavy-Duty V8 HEI Distributor with 5/16" Shaft
Upgrade your Ford FE/FT heavy-duty truck V8 ignition system with this HEI-style distributor, built around a magnetic trigger and a 65,000-volt coil housed directly in the unit — so there's no external coil or ignition box to wire in separately. The one-wire hookup simplifies installation on F-Series medium-duty, C-Series, N-Series, B-Series, and industrial FE/FT applications.
This distributor is equipped with a 5/16-inch oil pump/distributor shaft for heavy-duty FE/FT truck engines — 330, 361, and 391 CID — and will not fit standard light-duty FE applications that use the smaller 1/4-inch shaft. 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; 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. Designed for carbureted applications only.
What Is an HEI Distributor?
HEI (High Energy Ignition) replaces the external coil and breaker points used in factory Ford FE truck ignition systems with a magnetic trigger and a high-output coil built directly into the distributor housing. Without points to wear or require periodic gap adjustment, timing holds more consistently, and this single unit replaces both the original distributor and ignition coil.
Performance Benefits
The 65,000-volt internal coil produces stronger spark output than a factory points-style distributor, supporting more consistent spark delivery across the RPM range on heavy-duty 330/361/391 FT engines. The magnetic trigger holds timing accurately without the point wear and drift common to older ignition systems. Mechanical and vacuum advance are both included, with a vacuum advance adjustment tool in the box so the timing curve can be tuned for medium-duty truck and industrial applications.
COMPATIBLE WITH
FORD FE/FT HEAVY-DUTY V8 (5/16" SHAFT)
• 5.4 L / 330 in³ (FT Heavy-Duty)
• 5.9 L / 361 in³ (FT Heavy-Duty)
• 6.4 L / 391 in³ (FT Heavy-Duty)
NOTES
• Designed specifically for heavy-duty FT truck applications using a 5/16 in. oil pump/distributor shaft.
• Will not fit standard light-duty FE passenger car or pickup truck applications — those use a smaller ¼ in. shaft and require a different distributor.
• The FT 330, 361, and 391 are heavy-duty variants of the FE engine family, used exclusively in medium-duty commercial trucks and buses — not interchangeable with light-duty FE components.
• The FT engines were produced from 1964–1977 in carbureted form.
• Designed for carbureted applications only.
• This distributor is designed for a 12 volt electrical system with an alternator.
• 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 F-500 / F-600 / F-700 Medium-Duty Trucks (330/361/391, 1964–1977)
Ford C-Series Cab-Over Trucks (330/361/391, 1964–1977)
Ford N-Series Cab-Over Trucks (330/361/391, 1964–1977)
Ford L-Series / Louisville Trucks (361/391, 1967–1977)
Ford B-Series School Bus Chassis (330/361/391, 1964–1977)
SPECIFICATIONS
Distributor Type: HEI
Engine Platform: Ford FE/FT Heavy-Duty V8
Trigger Type: Magnetic
Rotation Direction: Counterclockwise
Advance Type: Mechanical and Vacuum
Cap Color: Available in Black, Blue, Red, Clear
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
Vacuum Advance Adjustment Tool: Included
Installation Instructions: Included
