OK, the wiring under the hood is really bad.

Look at the picture of my distributor, can I just wire power to it direct, and if so, which of the 2 outside pins do I run power to?
What the other one for?
How high is up?
I'm hungry
This car smells funny
are we there yet?

 

1. The wires from the distributor plugs to the one set of terminals (you'll know by which fits).
2. The other two terminals are for power hook up and the tach (should be marked on the cover).
3. Pretty damn high.
4. Eat something.
5. Take a shower.
6. No.

 

1. wow, it fits!
2. Read the label! Why didn't I think of that? Old cap is not marked, new one is. Should use a new one anyway.
3. Almost as high as all the way up
4. Pizza
5. car wash for people
6. are we there yet?

 

So is there any reason, I cannot rewire my ignition system with a separate switch set up for power to the HEI, and leave the key to turn over the starter?

1. Separate ignition circuit
2. Factory starter circuit
3. Do bananas in the banana split count as vegetables/fruit?
4. Why don't we use popcorn as bumper filling to reduce injuries in a crash?
The car would smell good too.....

 

are we there yet?

 

No reason why you can't do that. But why do you, you thinking security kill switch?
1-4...Yes, Yes, Yes, good question (or is that dumb question?)