I was wondering what the best upgrade would be on a 1972 cutlass 350 as far as distributors go? I have a 79 firebird formula with the pontiac 400 in it and also was wondering if the distributor would work from the pontiac would work on the cutlass? Any advice?

 

pertronix kits work good. they replace the points with a electronic unit. do a search and you will find alot of info.

 

If it's power you're looking for, there is no power to be found in switching distributors. Your old breaker-point distributor will work fine.

There IS power to be found in learning how to tune the ignition -- to modify the ignition curve and make sure all the emissions items are helping you, not hurting you.

The one advantage to installing a Pertronics Ignitor (or similar unit) is that it replaces the points, which means you won't have to adjust (or replace)the points all the time to keep a good state of tune.

 

Leave the 400 Poncho distributor in the Firebird.
It will NOT interchange.
I too, will soon be in the market for a Pertronics unit.
Jim

 

I used a Pertronix in my '42 Chevy with the Olds 350. It runs much smoother and starts better. I have a bad back and leaning over tweaking the points is not my idea of fun.

 

If you don't want to spend the money on a Pertronix unit you can get a stock HEI from the salvage yard. I've used Pertronix in the past though, their unit works great.