Pontiac V8 Pro Series Ready to Run Distributor
Pontiac V8 Pro Series Ready to Run Distributor
SKU: SKU: JM7704R
In stock
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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 Pontiac-built V8: 326/350/389/400/421/428/455
- Circuit board module with magnetic pickup holds accurate timing
Description
Upgrade your Pontiac V8 — 326, 350, 389, 400, 421, 428, or 455 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. This distributor supports 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. 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.
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. 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, along with a color-matched spark plug wire retainer, vacuum advance block-off plate, and power/tachometer extension cables — giving the install a finished, factory-style appearance.
Specs
| Distributor Type | Ready to Run |
| Trigger Type | Circuit Board Module with Magnetic Pick-Up |
| Distributor Rotation | Counter-Clockwise |
| Advance Type | Mechanical and Vacuum |
| Cap Color | Available in Red, Blue, Black |
| Terminal Gender | Male |
| Mechanical Tach Drive | No |
| Slip Collar | No |
| Coil Included | No |
| Coil Type | External |
| Required Coil Output | 35,000+ V |
| Required Electrical Setup | 12 V with Alternator |
| Gear Material | Steel |
| Housing Material | Machined Aluminum |
| Ignition Box Required | No |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Marine Use | No |
| Included | 3 Bushings and 4 Springs for Mechanical Advance Color-Matched Spark Plug Wire Retainer with Screws Vacuum Advance Block-Off Plate (Black) Power Extension Cable Tachometer Output Extension Cable |
Engine Fitment
COMPATIBLE WITH
PONTIAC V8
• 4.9L / 301 in³ (1977–1979)
• 5.3L / 326 in³
• 5.7L / 350 in³ (1968–1977)
• 6.4L / 389 in³
• 6.6L / 400 in³
• 6.9L / 421 in³
• 7.0L / 428 in³
• 7.5L / 455 in³
NOTES
• Designed for traditional Pontiac V8 carbureted applications.
• The 301 uses a redesigned lightweight block with clockwise rotor rotation — verify distributor compatibility before installation on 301 applications.
• Not compatible with Chevrolet, Buick, or Oldsmobile V8 engines that were optionally installed in Pontiac vehicles — this distributor fits Pontiac-built engines only.
• Designed for carbureted applications only.
• 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
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)
Q&A
Will this fit a Pontiac 301?
Use caution. The Pontiac 301 features a redesigned lightweight block and uses clockwise distributor rotation, unlike the counterclockwise rotation used by the rest of the traditional Pontiac V8 family. Verify distributor compatibility before installing this distributor on any 301 application.
My Pontiac has a Chevy or Oldsmobile engine in it—will this fit?
No. This distributor is designed exclusively for Pontiac-built V8 engines. It is not compatible with Chevrolet, Buick, or Oldsmobile V8 engines that were optionally installed in some Pontiac vehicles.
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, for Pontiac 326, 350, 389, 400, 421, 428, and 455 V8 engines. The Pontiac 301 is the exception, using clockwise rotor rotation due to its unique block design.
What's included with this distributor besides the unit itself?
In addition to the distributor, the package includes mechanical advance bushings and springs for tuning the advance curve, a color-matched spark plug wire retainer, a vacuum advance block-off plate, and extension cables for the power and tachometer connections.
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."
Forgot to package coil in box but emailed and all was handled with little delay
Pontiac V8 Pro Series Ready to Run Distributor
Upgrade your Pontiac V8 — 326, 350, 389, 400, 421, 428, or 455 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. This distributor supports 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. 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.
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. 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, along with a color-matched spark plug wire retainer, vacuum advance block-off plate, and power/tachometer extension cables — giving the install a finished, factory-style appearance.
COMPATIBLE WITH
PONTIAC V8
• 4.9L / 301 in³ (1977–1979)
• 5.3L / 326 in³
• 5.7L / 350 in³ (1968–1977)
• 6.4L / 389 in³
• 6.6L / 400 in³
• 6.9L / 421 in³
• 7.0L / 428 in³
• 7.5L / 455 in³
NOTES
• Designed for traditional Pontiac V8 carbureted applications.
• The 301 uses a redesigned lightweight block with clockwise rotor rotation — verify distributor compatibility before installation on 301 applications.
• Not compatible with Chevrolet, Buick, or Oldsmobile V8 engines that were optionally installed in Pontiac vehicles — this distributor fits Pontiac-built engines only.
• Designed for carbureted applications only.
• 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
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: Ready to Run
Trigger Type: Circuit Board Module with Magnetic Pick-Up
Distributor Rotation: Counter-Clockwise
Advance Type: Mechanical and Vacuum
Cap Color: Available in Red, Blue, Black
Terminal Gender: Male
Mechanical Tach Drive: No
Slip Collar: No
Coil Included: No
Coil Type: External
Required Coil Output: 35,000+ V
Required Electrical Setup: 12 V with Alternator
Gear Material: Steel
Housing Material: Machined Aluminum
Ignition Box Required: No
Cylinders: 8
Marine Use: No
Included: 3 Bushings and 4 Springs for Mechanical Advance
Color-Matched Spark Plug Wire Retainer with Screws
Vacuum Advance Block-Off Plate (Black)
Power Extension Cable
Tachometer Output Extension Cable
