Are BBO and SBO distributors physically the same? Other than timing curves will they interchange?

 

Yep.

 

Thanks

 

All of the Olds points type distributers interchange. The HEI with three wires works also. The five wire HEI works if wired correctly.

 

I added some clarification to your post.

 

Not needed, his question was about big block versus small block.

 

To expand a little, all 1964-1990 Olds V8 distributors physically interchange. Some aftermarket intakes (mainly those built in the 1960s) won't clear the larger HEI body. And be aware of the 1980s CCC HEI distributors that do not have a vacuum advance can - these have no internal advance mechanism since the advance curve is provided by the ECU.

 

Old air cleaners may need clearanced for HEI, as well.

 

Thank you for all of the info. I was hopping to use the original 260 HEI distributor with a 455 swap. Air cleaner should also be reusable because it has a dual jet carb. One of the stranger things I have seen. I still need a 455 engine and intake.

 

I've wanted one of those as a conversation piece.