170 OHV one-barrel
1961–1964 core era112 hp @ 4500 rpm; 154 lb-ft representative
Final in-house evolution of the Champion six
TorqueList Original Technical Art
Studebaker 170 OHV Six
Inline6 · N/A
Studebaker · OHV Champion Six
Studebaker 170 OHV Six
The overhead-valve evolution of the 169.6-cubic-inch Champion six used in early-1960s Larks and export Hawks.
169.6
Cubic inches
Studebaker kept the familiar 3.00 x 4.00-inch displacement but converted the six to overhead valves, dramatically modernizing airflow and output compared with the Champion flathead.
Key variants
All variants170 OHV one-barrel
Displacement
169.6 ci
Bore
3"
Stroke
4"
Years
1961–1964 core OHV Studebaker era
Key Takeaway
The 170 OHV kept the familiar 3.00 x 4.00-inch dimensions of the earlier Champion flathead but moved the valves into the cylinder head. That simple architecture change improved breathing and output while preserving the proven long-stroke bottom end.
Technical Specifications
- Compression
- Approximately 8.0–8.5:1 depending year
- Horsepower
- 112 hp @ 4500 rpm in documented 1961–1962 specification
- Torque
- 154 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm in documented 1961 specification
- Architecture
- Inline six-cylinder OHV
- Block
- Cast iron
- Cylinder heads
- Cast iron
- Valvetrain
- Pushrod overhead valve
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspirated
- Fuel delivery
- Single-barrel / two-barrel carburetion depending application
- Firing order
- 1-5-3-6-2-4
The 170 OHV kept the familiar 3.00 x 4.00-inch dimensions of the earlier Champion flathead but moved the valves into the cylinder head. That simple architecture change improved breathing and output while preserving the proven long-stroke bottom end.
Internal Specifications
Variant-specific values are labeled. Engine families that span multiple years or RPOs can have different heads, cams, induction and rotating parts, so the exact code/year always takes priority.
Identification & Output
- Engine codes / RPO
- 1961–1964 170 OHV Champion/Lark six — identify by stamped engine number/date and OHV cylinder-head architecture; do not rely on displacement alone because the earlier flathead is also 169.6 cid
- Casting numbers
- No single universal OHV-170 casting is retained here; verify block/head casting and date together with the overhead-valve head, 3.00 x 4.00-inch dimensions and engine number
- Power rating
- Period brake horsepower / SAE gross-era rating
- Horsepower RPM
- 112 hp @ 4500 rpm in representative 1961–1964 specification
- Torque RPM
- 154 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm in representative 1961 specification
Operating Specs
- Production notes
- For 1961 Studebaker converted its long-running 169.6-cid Champion architecture to overhead valves, increasing breathing and output while retaining the familiar 3.00 x 4.00-inch dimensions.
Compatibility Notes
- The OHV 170 is not a simple flathead 169.6 top-end swap. Head, valvetrain, manifolds, oiling, cooling and external hardware differ materially.
- Verify whether a donor is passenger-car or truck specification and check transmission/flywheel, carburetor and front-drive details before interchange.
Notable Applications
Studebaker LarkStudebaker export GT HawkStudebaker compact models
Strengths
- More power than flathead predecessor
- Simple OHV architecture
- Retains proven 170-cubic-inch dimensions
Weaknesses / Watch-outs
- Still a long-stroke economy engine
- Limited performance aftermarket
Common Upgrades
- Two-barrel conversion
- Header/exhaust
- Electronic ignition
Racing History & Legacy
The OHV 170 was primarily an economy engine, although six-cylinder Studebaker production cars were included in the company’s broad 1963 Bonneville durability/speed-record effort. The headline high-speed records, however, came from the R-series V8 cars.
The 170 OHV six was Studebaker's final in-house evolution of its small six before later engines were sourced from other manufacturers.
References & Image Credit
Studebaker Drivers Club — 1962 GT Hawk engine table
club reference
Studebaker 1960s general specifications
technical reference
Studebaker Drivers Club — Studebaker six-cylinder engine history
club technical history
Studebaker Drivers Club — six-cylinder engine-number reference
club identification reference
Studebaker 1960s general engine specifications
historical specification
1963 Studebaker Bonneville record-program summary
period motorsport reference
Key Factory / Build Variants
Engineering Notes Worth Knowing
01
169.6 cu in / 2.8 L with 3.00 x 4.00-inch bore and stroke.
02
Cast-iron pushrod OHV inline-six.
03
Single- or two-barrel carburetion depending application.
04
Documented output: about 112 hp and 154 lb-ft.
History · context · related reading
The Story Behind Studebaker 170 OHV Six
Studebaker modernized its long-running small six without abandoning the basic displacement. The move to overhead valves gave the 170 noticeably better breathing and kept the six relevant through the company's final in-house engine years.
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