Although no great mechanic, I've tried to absorb some Champion-engine knowledge from people who
 profess expertise and make sense.

The Champion engine IS a little shy on torque, as you mentioned, especially the flathead 170 variety
 (134 ft lb. for many years). After all, it was engineered for a lighter-than-average car. BTW 170's
 (and the '39 and '40 Engines with 164 cubes) have a stroke of 4.0 inches. The 185's (available from
 '55 through '58)were noticably better with a 4 3/8 inch stroke and 152 ft lb. My '55 has yet to
 embarass me on hills, but my '54 needed to be pushed harder, especially when loaded with wife, kids
 and a full trunk.

Champion sixes, along with Stude V8's, were blessed with extraordinarily large main bearings and can
 take higher RPMs without complaint. When it was introduced, the Champion got it's horsepower at a 
higher RPM than any other car in the industry. IT IS NOT A "TRACTOR" ENGINE like some other older 
cars.

My understanding is that the oil pump volume at low RPM is not as much as one might hope for and that
  "lugging" the engine at less than ideal RPM is not a good idea for rod bearing longevity. Keep the
 rev's up a bit and all the bearings will be happy with the pressure. My theory is that many Champion
 rod bearings failures were because of lugging the engine and shifting too soon. Again, it is NOT a 
"tractor " engine.

In conversation with Champion engine guru Bill Cathcart a few years back, he mentioned that a Champion
 should be happy a 2800 RPM for consistent highway cruising. In 20 years of running these engines half
 way across the continent on occassion, I have no reason to doubt that.

In street traffic, with a 4.10:1 rear ratio, I shift into 2nd at about 15 MPH and into 3rd at just 
under 30MPH. This is in "conventional" mode (means not using the overdrive). I don't engage O/D under
 45MPH. With a 4.56:1 ratio, just drop every thing in this paragraph down about 10%. So, while your
 friend's advice about shift points seems about right, don't be too afraid of taking it to higher
 rev's when you want. Just don't go too low.

The Champion engine is really quite tough. Don't lug it by shifting too soon or by pulling away from
 a stop at too low an RPM. I'm not the only one who has witnessed engagement of O/D in FIRST (although
 not in MY car) which means that at least 30MPH in that gear and some pretty lofty rev's!! And no 
side effects. On occassion, of course.

Keep it tuned, cooled well, lubed with the proper products, the valves in adjustment, snug up the
 head bolts and the manifold-to-engine stud nuts once in a while, keep the RPM's up, and you'll 
both be happy.



Roger "153624" Hill

55 Champion
47 M-5
Izzer Buggy
Junior Wagon