These HEI distributors are easy to install (if you understand distributors) and it performs great. When installing these on a 460 Ford it is necessary to grind away part of the water neck (or buy another water neck with a flat spot manufactured into it, they do exist) and also you have to switch to a smaller aftermarket air cleaner (breather) since this distributor is way to big to use the stock one. I knew these things when I bought it, but I kind of liked my big old air cleaner with the 460 Continental decals. Anyway, I doubt much effort is going to be put into improving the part fitment considering the people who buy this for a 460 V8 are typically looking to hot rod every other component on their engines and don't use many stock parts. On the plus side, you can throw away your ignition coil once this is installed and it clears up more space in that area than I would have thought.
I had a HEI in my Ford before this one ,and I think it might have been like the ones you can get for 40-60 dollars. The gear was never pinned to the shaft well and ultimately something electric failed. So I thought this time I would buy a better quality one, and so far it seems so, but it is over 100.00 dollars more. That said I would but it again.
Since I had an HEI before this one I knew there might be air cleaner issues in certain applications. I bought the offset base 14" chrome air cleaner for my car. Just something to think about if your going from your Ford distributor to the HEI as it is taller.