ZZ4 crate engine with HEI in 1969 Camaro

I have just purchased a turn key ZZ4 crate engine with a HEI distributor.  I have heard some say the firewall needs to be dimpled and others say no.  What should I do about the firewall.  I hate to test fit the engine and then take it back out since I have a bad back.  Also, will the old wiring harness have to be modified, and if so, what do I need to do to get it right the first time. Thanks!  

I have not done this, but I have stayed at a holiday.......  oh wait...

The only way for YOU to do it right the first time is to have someone that has done the exact same swap, and have them tell you what they did.
Otherwise, measure, measure, measure...... double check everything, length, width, height of motor, orientation of motor mounts (taking notice if they bolt in a differnt location than the existing motor etc.
I have a bad back too, had surgery 10 years ago, it is a real 'pain' to drop a motor in, just to take it back out. But, I just do it if I want it bad enuff. But that's just me.

in my 72 Jimmy, I didnt go with the HEI due to firewall being in the way, so I went with the old points style distributer and put the Pertronics kit in there, and it runs great!
Just a thought.

good luck,  

i did this swap on my 67 c-20 some years ago...the firewall wasn't a problem but it was close...the 12v source that feeds the ignition now, connect it to the batt terminal on the hei cap...the seperate coil and resistor block are now spare parts as is the points distributor

good luck  
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i did love my chevette (first car) more than my first wife
my 94 4.3L Astrobrick would outrun the 99 5.4L f350 i had to drive for work

Thanks for the info.  I have a Petronix kit in my old distributor, but was afraid that it might not do the job.
I just had my 2nd (and hopefully final) back surgery a year ago and still have a lot of problems with it.  I am like you though, I want to work on my cars so I try to suck it up as much as I can.  Being 60 years old does have it's disadvantages too.
Again, thanks for the help!  

Thanks for the information.  I would imagine that the C-20 would have a lot more clearance than the camaro though.  I will probably take the advice of unclepsycho and swap out my old distributor with the Petronix kit and try to use that.  Maybe that will work ok.
I don't know how that chevette thing showed up on my post.  My first car was a 62 ford galaxy, 6 banger with a 3 speed on the column.  It was all I could afford, but it was a good car and a lot of fun times in it.