The 1964 Chevrolet Impala was Chevrolet's premier full-size luxury vehicle. The Impala was available with several different engines. The base model engine was the 230 six-cylinder. Also available were the 283 and 327 small-block V-8s, as well as the 409 big-block V-8. Regularly maintaining the Impala's engine is critical to ensuring that the engine runs properly. Tuning up any of the Impala's engines typically takes less than 30 minutes, but the tune-up specifications must be carefully followed.
The 230 engine was equipped with type 46N spark plugs. The 283 was equipped with type 45 spark plugs. The 327 was equipped with type 44 spark plugs. The 409 was equipped with type 43N spark plugs. The spark plug gap for all engines was the same at .035 inches.
The distributor specifications are the same for all available engines. The point gap was .019 inches if new points were being installed and .016 inches if the existing points were being adjusted. Dwell angle was 30 degrees.
Ignition timing for the 230, 283 and 327 engines was four degrees before top dead center. Ignition timing for the 409 engine was 12 degrees before top dead center.
The idle speed for the 230 engine was 500 rpm regardless of the type of transmission. Idle speed for the 283 and 327 engines was 475 rpm if equipped with the manual transmission, and 450 rpm if equipped with the automatic transmission. Idle speed for the 409 was 750 rpm with the manual transmission and 475 with the automatic transmission.
Cylinder compression was 130 pounds for the 230 engine, 140 pounds for the 283 engine and 160 pounds for the 327 and 409 engines.
Fuel pump pressure for the 230 engine was between 3.50 and 4.50 pounds. Pump pressure for the 283 and 327 engines was between 5.25 and 6.50 pounds. Pump pressure for the 409 was between 7.25 and 8.50 pounds.
