Chevy 194-235 Early L6 HEI Distributor

• Fits Chevy Stovebolt inline-six 194, 216, 235, and 261 CID — 1962 and earlier

• 6-volt vehicles: upgrade to 12V and remove ballast resistor before installing

• 65,000-Volt internal HEI coil — single 12V wire, no external coil or box needed

• Not compatible with later GM inline-six 230, 250, or 292 CID engines

The TSP HEI Distributor for the Chevy Stovebolt inline-six is a self-contained large-cap HEI ignition upgrade for the Chevrolet 194 CID (3.2L), 216 CID (3.5L), 235 CID (3.9L), and 261 CID (4.3L) engines used in 1962 and earlier Chevrolet car and truck applications. The integrated HEI design combines the ignition coil, ignition module, cap, and rotor into a single unit, connecting to a single 12-volt source with no external coil, ignition box, or condenser required.

6-volt vehicle owners — two steps required before installation. Many Chevrolet vehicles built before the mid-1950s left the factory with 6-volt electrical systems. This distributor requires a 12-volt electrical system with a charging alternator. Before installing this distributor on a 6-volt vehicle, you must complete two steps: (1) upgrade the electrical system to 12-volt with a charging alternator, replacing the generator if present, and (2) remove or bypass any ballast resistor in the ignition circuit — ballast resistors were commonly installed during 6V-to-12V conversions to protect points-style ignition, but the HEI system does not use one and will not function correctly with a ballast resistor in the circuit. After both steps are completed, the vehicle applications on this listing are generally compatible with this distributor.

This distributor fits the early Chevy inline-six family only — 1962 and earlier. It is not compatible with the later GM inline-six engines introduced in 1963 and beyond — including the 230 CID, 250 CID, and 292 CID. If your engine is a 230, 250, or 292, a different distributor is required.

The Chevy Stovebolt inline-six powered the full range of Chevrolet cars and trucks from the late 1920s through 1962 — across multiple displacement evolutions, the engine family remained fundamentally consistent in architecture. The 216 CID (sometimes listed as 216.5 or 217), the 235 CID (sometimes listed as 235.5 or 236), and the 261 CID truck-specific engine are the most commonly restored and modified displacements. Whether refreshing a 1950s Bel Air, upgrading a Task Force or Advance Design pickup, or building a vintage Stovebolt-powered hot rod, this HEI distributor eliminates points, condenser, and external coil wiring in a single installation.

The 65,000-volt internal HEI coil delivers substantially stronger spark than a factory points-style distributor, supporting easier cold starts, cleaner idle quality, and more consistent ignition performance across the RPM range. A magnetic pickup trigger requires no routine maintenance. Both mechanical and vacuum advance are included, with a vacuum advance adjustment tool shipped with the distributor.

The Chevy Stovebolt Inline-Six — Understanding the Engine Family
The Chevrolet inline-six nickname "Stovebolt" refers to the early OHV inline-six family produced from 1929 through 1962 in various displacements. The engine went through several displacement evolutions during this period — from the early 194 CID through the 216 CID (also referred to as 216.5 or 217), the 235 CID Blue Flame Six (also referred to as 235.5 or 236), and the 261 CID used primarily in trucks. All four share compatible distributor architecture. This is a completely different engine from the later GM inline-six (230/250/292 CID) introduced in 1963 — those engines require a different distributor.

6-Volt to 12-Volt Conversion — What You Need to Do First
A significant portion of vehicles equipped with the early Chevy inline-six were originally built with 6-volt electrical systems — this includes most Chevrolets built before 1953. This HEI distributor requires a 12-volt electrical system with a charging alternator. If your vehicle has a 6-volt system or was converted from 6-volt to 12-volt at some point, here is what you need before installing this distributor:

Step 1 — Upgrade to 12-volt: Install a 12-volt battery and replace the generator with a 12-volt alternator. All electrical components must be compatible with 12-volt operation.

Step 2 — Remove or bypass the ballast resistor: Many 6V-to-12V conversions included a ballast resistor in the ignition circuit to reduce voltage to the points-style distributor. The HEI system does not use a ballast resistor and the circuit must be bypassed or the resistor removed before installing this distributor. Leaving the ballast resistor in place will prevent the HEI from functioning correctly.

Once both steps are complete, the vehicle applications on this listing are generally compatible with this distributor.

Performance Benefit
The 65,000-volt internal HEI coil fires spark plugs more consistently than a factory points setup across the full RPM range. Stronger spark translates to easier cold starts, cleaner idle quality, and improved throttle response — particularly meaningful on vintage Stovebolt applications where original ignition components may be decades old. The magnetic pickup trigger holds timing accurately without the maintenance cycle required by points-based ignition. Both mechanical and vacuum advance are included, and the vacuum advance adjustment tool allows the curve to be tuned for your specific combination.

Q: What engines does this distributor fit?
A: This distributor fits the Chevrolet Stovebolt inline-six family — 194 CID (3.2L), 216 CID (3.5L, also referred to as 216.5 or 217), 235 CID (3.9L, also referred to as 235.5 or 236), and 261 CID (4.3L) — in carbureted applications from 1962 and earlier. It is not compatible with the later GM inline-six engines (230, 250, or 292 CID) introduced in 1963 and beyond. If your engine is a 230, 250, or 292, a different distributor is required.

Q: My vehicle has a 6-volt electrical system — can I still use this distributor?
A: Yes, but only after completing a 12-volt conversion first. This distributor requires a 12-volt electrical system with a charging alternator. Two steps are required before installing on a 6-volt vehicle: (1) upgrade the entire electrical system to 12-volt with a 12-volt alternator, replacing the generator if present, and (2) remove or bypass any ballast resistor from the ignition circuit — ballast resistors are commonly found in vehicles that were converted from 6-volt to 12-volt at some point, and the HEI system is not compatible with a ballast resistor in the circuit. Once both steps are complete, the vehicle applications on this listing are generally compatible with this distributor.

Q: What is a ballast resistor and why does it need to be removed?
A: A ballast resistor is a resistor placed in the ignition circuit that reduces voltage reaching the ignition system. It was commonly used in original points-style ignition systems and was often installed during 6V-to-12V electrical conversions to protect the points from higher voltage. The HEI ignition system does not use or tolerate a ballast resistor — it requires full 12-volt supply voltage to operate correctly. If a ballast resistor is present in your ignition circuit, it must be removed or bypassed by running a direct 12V wire from the ignition switch to the distributor's 12V input terminal.

Q: Does this fit my 235 "Blue Flame Six"?
A: Yes. The 235 CID Chevrolet "Blue Flame Six" is a confirmed fitment for this distributor. If your documentation shows "235.5" or "236" as the displacement, this also refers to the same 235 CID engine and is compatible. This applies to all carbureted 235 CID applications from 1962 and earlier.

Q: Does this fit my 216 CID engine — my documentation says 216.5 or 217?
A: Yes. The 216.5 and 217 designations are alternate names sometimes used for the standard 216 CID Chevrolet Stovebolt inline-six. All three numbers refer to the same engine and are confirmed fitment for this distributor in 1962 and earlier carbureted applications.

Q: Does this fit the later Chevy inline-six — 230, 250, or 292 CID?
A: No. This distributor is designed for the early Stovebolt inline-six (194, 216, 235, 261 CID) used in 1962 and earlier applications only. The 230, 250, and 292 CID engines are a completely different inline-six family introduced in 1963 and require a different distributor.

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

Q: Do I need an external ignition box or control module?
A: No. The ignition control module is integrated internally within the distributor. No external ignition box, CDI unit, points, or condenser is required.

Q: What is the coil output voltage?
A: This distributor produces 65,000 volts of coil output — significantly higher than a factory points-style distributor — delivering stronger, more consistent spark for improved cold starts, idle stability, and throttle response.

Q: What type of distributor gear is included?
A: This distributor includes a steel distributor gear. The gear is most compatible with cast iron hydraulic or solid flat tappet camshafts. For roller camshaft applications, consult your camshaft manufacturer for the recommended gear material.

Q: Do I need to set ignition timing after installation?
A: Yes. Base ignition timing must be set with a timing light after installation. For most carbureted Stovebolt 235 and 261 applications, a starting point of 4–6 degrees BTDC at idle is a common reference for stock builds — though modified engines may benefit from additional advance. Consult your engine builder for a specific recommendation for performance-oriented combinations.