I think that what's hard on 122s (or any other car) are sudden changes of driver input. There's a real difference between revving the engine up and dumping the clutch and easing out the clutch gracefully until everything's loaded and then mashing the pedal. I tend to go pretty easy until it's warmed up.

I don't speed but I do like to wind it up before shifting. Sort of a 'gobs of acceleration until you reach the speed limit' approach.

My B20 sees 5K every time it's driven. 6K most of the times it's driven. 7K about every 3rd or 4th time it's driven, but I think this is on the high side for a factory built (or equivalent) engine. If you do take it to 7K, don't hold it there. Shift. No reason to travel at 55mph in second gear anyway.

I think that if the engine's in good shape that you can safely wind it up to 6K pretty regularly. Just remember that your feet aren't practicing percussion with the pedals and keep the transitions smooth.

Volvo pushrod engines rock:

http://www.youtube.com/user/volvorelix

Best,

Cameron
http://www.myspace.com/swedishrelics