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Top Street Performance

Chevy Corvair Flat 6 Pro Series Ready to Run Distributor

Chevy Corvair Flat 6 Pro Series Ready to Run Distributor

SKU: SKU: JM7732R

Regular price $230.85
Sale price $230.85 Regular price $262.33
Shipping calculated at checkout.

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Top Street Performance (TSP) is committed to providing high-quality performance parts while complying with emissions regulations. This product is designed for use on vehicles that comply with federal emissions regulations. It is the customer’s responsibility to verify that this part is legal for use in their state or local jurisdiction. Check with your local emissions authority before purchasing.
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Product Details

Features

  • Pro Series Ready-to-Run for the Corvair flat-six — no ignition box needed, installs direct
  • Circuit board module with magnetic pick-up delivers stable 35,000+ V spark across the RPM range
  • Mechanical and vacuum advance with 3 bushings and 4 springs for tunable timing on 140, 145, and 164 CID engines
  • Includes wire retainer, vacuum block-off plate, and extension cables for a clean install

Description

Pro Series Ready-to-Run Distributor for the Chevrolet Corvair Flat-Six Engine

Finding performance ignition components for the air-cooled Chevrolet Corvair flat-six is not always straightforward — this is a purpose-built, application-specific distributor engineered for the Corvair's 140, 145, and 164 CID horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine. Whether you're restoring a Corvair Monza, refreshing a Corsa, reviving a Greenbrier, or building a carbureted Corvair for street performance, this TSP Pro Series Ready-to-Run distributor delivers reliable ignition performance without requiring an external ignition control box.

The circuit board module with magnetic pick-up trigger provides precise, repeatable spark timing across the full RPM range — a significant upgrade over aging contact-point ignition systems that are increasingly difficult to source and maintain on Corvair applications. Mechanical and vacuum advance give you direct, tunable control over your total advance curve, with three interchangeable advance bushings and four springs included so you can tailor the advance rate to your specific build, cam profile, and carburetor setup.

The machined aluminum housing is built around a clockwise-rotating steel gear and produces 35,000+ volts through an external coil. The ready-to-run design simplifies installation — connect power, ground, and external coil, set base timing, and the system is operational. The steel gear is most compatible with cast iron hydraulic and solid flat-tappet camshafts; consult your camshaft manufacturer if your Corvair build uses a roller or specialty cam profile.

 

Applications
Designed specifically for the Chevrolet Corvair air-cooled flat-six engine — 2.3L / 140 CID, 2.4L / 145 CID, and 2.7L / 164 CID. Confirmed common vehicle applications include Chevrolet Corvair, Corvair Monza, Corvair Corsa, and Corvair Greenbrier. Suited for carbureted street builds, restorations, and performance applications on these Corvair engine and vehicle combinations.

Specs

Trigger Type Circuit Board Module with Magnetic Pick-Up
Distributor Rotation Clockwise
Advance Type Mechanical and Vacuum
Cap Color Available in Black, Blue, Red
Terminal Gender Male
Mechanical Tach Drive No
Slip Collar No
Coil Included No
Coil Type External
Required Coil Output 35,000+ V
Gear Material Steel
Housing Material Machined Aluminum
Ignition Box Required No
Marine Use No
Cylinders 6
Included 3 Bushings And 4 Springs for Mechanical Advance
Color-Matched Spark Plug Wire Retainer with Screws
Vacuum Advance Block-Off Plate (Black)
Power Extension Cable
Tachometer Output Extension Cable

Engine Fitment

COMPATIBLE WITH
CHEVROLET FLAT 6
• 2.3 L / 140 in³
• 2.4 L / 145 in³
• 2.7 L / 164 in³

NOTES
• Fits all Chevrolet Corvair air-cooled flat-six engines (140, 145, and 164ci) used in 1960–1969 applications.
• The 140ci engine was the high-performance "big valve" version used exclusively in 1965–1966 Corsa models.
• Compatible with both naturally aspirated and turbocharged Corvair flat-six applications.
• Designed for carbureted ignition systems only.
• This distributor is designed for a 12 volt electrical system with an alternator and a performance ignition coil of 35,000 V or more.
• It is not compatible with a generator and cannot be used with a ballast resistor.

COMMON VEHICLE APPLICATIONS
Chevrolet Corvair 500 / 700 (1960–1964)
Chevrolet Corvair Monza / Monza Spyder (1960–1969)
Chevrolet Corvair Corsa (1965–1966)
Chevrolet Corvair Lakewood Station Wagon (1961–1962)
Chevrolet Corvair 95 Greenbrier Van (1961–1965)
Chevrolet Corvair 95 Corvan Panel Van (1961–1964)
Chevrolet Corvair 95 Rampside Pickup (1961–1964)
Chevrolet Corvair 95 Loadside Pickup (1961–1962)

Q&A

What engines is this Pro Series distributor designed for?
This distributor is purpose-built for the Chevrolet Corvair air-cooled flat-six engine in 2.3L (140 CID), 2.4L (145 CID), and 2.7L (164 CID) displacements. It is not a universal distributor and is designed specifically for the Corvair flat-six engine family.

What Corvair models does this distributor fit?
Confirmed applications include the Chevrolet Corvair, Corvair Monza, Corvair Corsa, and Corvair Greenbrier. The Corvair flat-six engine was produced from 1960 through 1969. Verify your engine displacement and ignition system before ordering to ensure compatibility.

Does this distributor fit the turbocharged Corvair Spyder?
The turbocharged Corvair Spyder is not a confirmed application for this distributor. Contact TSP directly to verify compatibility with your Spyder's specific ignition requirements before ordering.

Do I need an ignition box or control module with this distributor?
No. This is a Ready-to-Run distributor with an integrated ignition module. No external ignition box, CDI unit, points, or condenser is required. Connect power to a compatible external ignition coil, set the base timing, and the distributor is ready for operation.

Why is this distributor a better option than restoring the original Corvair contact-point ignition?
The factory Corvair ignition relies on mechanical contact points, condensers, and other wear components that require periodic adjustment and replacement. This Pro Series distributor replaces the points system with a circuit board ignition module and magnetic pickup trigger, eliminating routine points maintenance while providing more consistent spark timing, improved reliability, easier starting, and smoother engine performance.

What advance type does this distributor use?
This distributor uses both mechanical (centrifugal) advance and vacuum advance, allowing full control over the ignition timing curve. It also includes three advance bushings and four advance springs so you can fine-tune the mechanical advance rate to match your engine combination and carburetor setup.

Is the steel gear compatible with my Corvair camshaft?
This distributor includes a steel distributor gear that is most compatible with cast iron hydraulic and solid flat tappet camshafts commonly found in Corvair engines. If your engine has a roller or specialty camshaft, consult your camshaft manufacturer for the recommended distributor gear material before installation.

What is included with this distributor?
This distributor includes three advance bushings, four advance springs for mechanical advance tuning, a color-matched spark plug wire retainer with mounting screws, a black vacuum advance block-off plate, a power extension cable, and a tachometer output extension cable.

What electrical system does this distributor require?
This distributor requires a 12-volt electrical system with a functioning alternator. It is not compatible with 6-volt systems, generator-equipped vehicles, or ballast resistor ignition circuits.

Do I need to set ignition timing after installing this distributor?
Yes. Base ignition timing must be set after installation according to your Corvair engine's specifications. For street-driven applications, connect the vacuum advance as normal. For performance applications where vacuum advance is not desired, install the included vacuum advance block-off plate and tune the mechanical advance curve as needed.

Emissions Notice

This Top Street Performance (TSP) product is designed for racing and off-road competition use only. It is not legal for use on public roads or emissions-controlled vehicles and does not comply with federal, state, or local emissions regulations. The buyer assumes all responsibility for legal use and installation.

What is a Emissions-Controlled Vehicle?
"An emissions-controlled vehicle is any vehicle equipped with a factory-installed emissions control system designed to reduce air pollution. These systems include catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valves, and diesel particulate filters (DPF). Most vehicles manufactured after 1975 are considered emissions-controlled and must comply with federal and state emissions laws when used on public roads."