AMC/Jeep 232-258 L6 HEI Distributor

• One-Wire HEI Setup — Internal coil and module included; single 12V connection only

• 65,000-Volt Coil Output — Stronger spark for better starts, idle, and throttle response

• Fits AMC 232, 258 and Carbureted-Conversion 4.0L Inline-Six Engines

• Machined Aluminum Housing, Steel Gear — Adjustment tool and instructions included

The TSP HEI Distributor for AMC and Jeep inline-six engines replaces your factory points-style or worn ignition distributor with a modern High Energy Ignition design that consolidates the coil, ignition module, and cap into one self-contained large-cap unit. Compatible with carbureted 232 CID (3.8L), 258 CID (4.2L), and carbureted-conversion 242 CID (4.0L) inline-six engines, this is one of the cleanest, most straightforward ignition upgrades available for AMC and Jeep I6 builds.

The self-contained HEI design connects to a single 12-volt source — no separate coil wiring, no external module, no points or condenser. The 65,000-volt coil output provides substantially stronger spark than a stock points distributor, helping improve cold-weather starting, idle quality, and throttle response — especially on engines running an aftermarket carburetor or a performance camshaft.

Both mechanical and vacuum advance are included, giving you adjustable timing control suited for daily-driven and weekend street builds alike. Whether you're restoring a Jeep CJ-7 258, refreshing an AMC Eagle drivetrain, rebuilding a Wrangler YJ 4.2L, or converting a Cherokee XJ 4.0L to carburetion, this distributor installs with standard tools and ships with a vacuum advance adjustment tool and full installation instructions.

Important: This distributor is designed for carbureted ignition systems only. It is not compatible with factory EFI-controlled Jeep 4.0L ignition systems, including Renix-injected (1987–1990) and High Output EFI (1991+) applications. Steel distributor gear — verify compatibility with your camshaft material before installation.

Why Upgrade to HEI on Your AMC or Jeep Inline-Six?
The factory points-style distributor on most AMC and Jeep inline-six engines was engineered to conservative factory specs with limited spark output. Points wear over time, timing drifts, and voltage output degrades — all of which hurt drivability on a carbureted system. A High Energy Ignition distributor modernizes the entire ignition system by combining the coil, ignition module, and distributor cap into a single sealed unit with higher voltage output, a magnetic trigger that never wears like points, and a simplified wiring setup that holds timing more accurately over the life of the engine.

Performance Benefit
With 65,000 volts of coil output and a magnetic pickup trigger, this HEI distributor fires spark plugs more reliably than a stock points setup across the full RPM range. The result is more consistent combustion — translating to easier cold starts, cleaner idle quality, and improved throttle response under load. Both mechanical and vacuum advance are included, allowing timing to be tuned to your specific engine combination, compression ratio, and carburetor calibration. A vacuum advance adjustment tool is included to help dial in the vacuum curve for your application.

What AMC and Jeep engines does this HEI distributor fit?
This distributor fits carbureted AMC 232 CID (3.8L) and 258 CID (4.2L) inline-six engines, and carbureted-conversion 242 CID (4.0L) applications. Supported vehicles include Jeep CJ-5, CJ-7, CJ-8 Scrambler, Wrangler YJ with the 4.2L inline-six, Cherokee XJ carbureted builds, Wagoneer SJ, J-Series trucks, AMC Eagle, AMC Concord, Spirit, Gremlin, Hornet, and Pacer equipped with compatible 232 or 258 inline-six engines.

Will this fit my Jeep 4.0L Cherokee XJ or Wrangler?
This distributor is compatible with carbureted-conversion 4.0L (242 CID) builds only. It is not compatible with factory EFI-equipped Jeep 4.0L engines, including Renix-injected models (1987–1990) and High Output (HO) EFI models (1991 and later). If your 4.0L has been converted to a carbureted ignition system, this distributor is compatible.

Does this distributor include an ignition coil?
Yes. The coil is built into the distributor cap as part of the HEI design. No external coil is required, and no separate coil wiring is needed. The only external connection required is a single 12-volt hot wire.

Do I need an external ignition box or ignition control module?
No. The HEI design integrates the ignition control module internally within the distributor. No external ignition box, ignition control module, points, or condenser is required.

What is the coil output voltage on this distributor?
This distributor produces 65,000 volts of coil output. This is significantly higher than a factory points-style distributor, resulting in a stronger, more consistent spark for improved cold starts, idle quality, and throttle response across the RPM range.

Does this distributor work with a mechanical tachometer?
No. This distributor does not include a mechanical tachometer drive output. Vehicles running a mechanical tach will require an electronic tachometer or a compatible electronic tach adapter signal converter.

What type of distributor gear is included, and does gear material matter?
This distributor includes a steel distributor gear. Steel gears are compatible with cast iron camshafts and most aftermarket steel camshafts. If your engine has been upgraded to a roller camshaft with a bronze or softer alloy cam gear, verify gear compatibility before installation — mismatched gear and cam material combinations can cause accelerated wear on both components.

What type of advance does this distributor use?
This distributor uses both mechanical (centrifugal) advance and vacuum advance. Mechanical advance automatically increases ignition timing as engine RPM rises. Vacuum advance adds additional timing advance under light throttle and cruise conditions, improving fuel efficiency and throttle response. A vacuum advance adjustment tool is included to allow tuning of the vacuum advance curve for your specific build.

Do I need to set ignition timing after installing this distributor?
Yes. Base ignition timing must be set with a timing light after installation. For most carbureted AMC 258 and 232 applications, a starting point of 8–12 degrees BTDC at idle is typical, though the optimal setting will vary depending on your compression ratio, camshaft selection, and carburetor tune. Refer to your engine specifications or a qualified tuner for final timing recommendations.

Is this distributor compatible with the Jeep Wrangler YJ?
Yes, for 1987–1990 Wrangler YJ models equipped with the factory 4.2L (258 CID) inline-six and a carbureted ignition system. The 1991–1995 Wrangler YJ was equipped with the 4.0L (242 CID) inline-six and factory EFI, which is not supported by this distributor unless the engine has been converted to carburetion.

What color options are available for this distributor?
This distributor is available in Red, Blue, and Black cap finishes.