Chevy 194-292 Late L6 HEI Distributor

The TSP HEI Distributor for the Chevy late inline-six is a self-contained large-cap HEI ignition upgrade for the Chevrolet 194 CID (3.2L), 230 CID (3.8L), 250 CID (4.1L), and 292 CID (4.8L) inline-six engines used in 1963 and later carbureted 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.

The 1963-and-later GM inline-six family — sometimes called the Turbo-Thrift Six — powered the full range of Chevrolet and GMC cars and trucks from 1963 through the late 1980s. The 250 CID was the most widely used, appearing as the base engine in the Nova, Camaro, Chevelle, Impala, and nearly every Chevrolet and GMC light truck of the era. The 292 CID was the heavy-duty truck inline-six, used in C20, C30, K20, K30, and medium-duty truck applications. The 194 and 230 CID engines were used primarily in smaller cars including the Chevy II and early Nova from 1963 through 1969.

This distributor fits the 1963-and-later inline-six only — not the earlier Stovebolt family. The Stovebolt inline-six (216, 235, and 261 CID, used in 1962 and earlier applications) requires a completely different distributor. The two engine families are not interchangeable. If your vehicle is 1962 or earlier with a 216, 235, or 261 CID inline-six, see the TSP Chevy Early Inline-Six HEI Distributor (JM6516).

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 Late GM Inline-Six Family — What This Distributor Covers
In 1963, Chevrolet introduced a new generation of inline-six engines to replace the Stovebolt family. These new engines — the 194, 230, 250, and 292 CID — used a completely different architecture from the Stovebolt, with a taller block, different head design, and an entirely different distributor location and drive. These engines are often referred to as the "Turbo-Thrift Six" in GM documentation.

The 250 CID (4.1L) is the most widely produced and most searched displacement in this family, used as the base engine in the Nova, Camaro, Chevelle, and Impala from the mid-1960s through the early 1980s, and in Chevrolet and GMC light trucks through the mid-1980s. The 292 CID (4.8L) is the truck-specific heavy-duty version, appearing in C20, C30, K20, K30, and medium-duty applications through 1988. The 194 and 230 CID engines appeared in smaller GM cars from 1963 through 1969.

Not Compatible with the Stovebolt Inline-Six
The Stovebolt family (216, 235, and 261 CID, 1962 and earlier) is a completely different engine architecture with different distributor geometry. This HEI distributor does not fit any Stovebolt application. If your vehicle uses a 216, 235, or 261 CID engine, the correct unit is the TSP Early Inline-Six HEI Distributor (JM6516).

Performance Benefit
The 65,000-volt internal HEI coil delivers stronger, more consistent spark than a factory points-style distributor across the full RPM range — improving cold starts, idle quality, and throttle response on carbureted inline-six builds. The magnetic pickup trigger requires no routine maintenance and holds timing accurately without the wear and drift of 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 application.

COMPATIBLE WITH
CHEVROLET INLINE 6 (1963 AND LATER)
• 3.2L / 194 in³
• 3.8L / 230 in³
• 4.1L / 250 in³
• 4.8L / 292 in³

NOTES
• Fits Chevrolet Turbo-Thrift inline-six engines (194, 230, 250, and 292) used in 1963 and later applications.
• Not compatible with early Chevrolet Stovebolt inline-six engines (216, 235, 261).
• The 292 was a truck-only engine in the US; verify tall deck clearance before installation.
• Also fits GM corporate siblings using the 250ci engine (Pontiac Firebird/LeMans, Oldsmobile F-85/Cutlass, Buick Skylark/Special — 1968–1976).
• Designed for carbureted HEI ignition systems only.
• This distributor is designed for a 12 volt electrical system with an alternator. 
• It is not compatible with a generator and cannot be used with a ballast resistor.

COMMON VEHICLE APPLICATIONS
Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova (194, 1962–1967; 230, 1966–1970; 250, 1968–1979)
Chevrolet Chevelle / El Camino (194, 1964–1967; 230, 1964–1967; 250, 1968–1977)
Chevrolet Camaro (230, 1967; 250, 1968–1979)
Chevrolet Impala / Bel Air / Biscayne (230, 1963–1969; 250, 1969–1976)
Chevrolet C/K Trucks (230, 1963–1969; 250, 1969–1984; 292, 1963–1988)
Chevrolet G-Series Van (250, 1971–1978; 292, 1975–1978)
GMC C/K Trucks (230, 1963–1969; 250, 1969–1984; 292, 1963–1988)
Pontiac Firebird / LeMans (250, 1968–1976)
Oldsmobile F-85 / Cutlass (250, 1968–1975)
Buick Skylark / Special (250, 1968–1971)

SPECIFICATIONS
Trigger Type: Magnetic
Advance Type: Mechanical And Vacuum
Color: Available in Red, Blue, Black
Terminal Gender: Male
Mechanical Tach Drive: No
Slip Collar: No
Coil Included: Yes
Coil Type: Internal
Coil Output: 65000 V
Gear Material: Steel
Housing Material: Machined Aluminum
Ignition Box Required: No
Marine Use: No
Cylinders: 6
Vacuum Advance Adjustment Tool: Included
Installation Instructions: Included