Reply to "which distributor?"

The engine bay looks SHARP Dave!

I purchased a ready to run distributor myself, although I haven't installed it yet. I've seen them in other Panteras, like all MSD distributors, they are a tight fit because they are tall. They fit, but the spark plug wire boots nearest the bulk head come very close to rubbing on the bulk head, and the engine screen comes very close to hitting the cap & wires too, due to their height. MSD makes a very good distributor, it has a great advance mechanism inside. The trigger is a reliable inductive mechanism similar (if not identical) to the trigger in the Ford Duraspark distributor. I've never read or been told of any problems with the drive gear when used with flat tappet camshafts. It would be advisable to double up on the gear's roll pin (a second pin inside the first). If you are employing a Crane retro-fit roller cam, you'll need to use Crane's steel gear designed for that application.

I advise you to install a relay to feed power to the ignition. Any electronic ignition. The power to the coil is routed via the ignition switch. Ignition switches were not designed to handle any current loads at all, they are expensive to replace too. They are marginal even with breaker points, the increased current of the electronic ignition will create a greater voltage drop across the ignition switch. I've seen a situation where operating the power windows or turning on the headlights would kill the motor, this was due to insufficient voltage to the ignition. If I remember correctly the ready to run distributor requires full battery voltage, no ballast required.

If you are employing a flat tappet camshaft in your motor, I advise you very strongly to run Shell Rotella T or Chevron Delo 400 motor oil, preferably in straight 30 weight, although 15W40 will do in a pinch. These are deisel motor oils that contain ZDDP, essential for the health of that flat tapet camshaft, and that distributor drive gear.

your friend on the DTIC