Part 7/9:
Despite the engineering brilliance, the lifespan of a Top Fuel engine is notably short. Factors such as intense heat, pressure, and force lead to rapid wear and tear on engine components. Connecting rods typically last only 10 to 12 runs, while bearings need replacing after every single run. Furthermore, the extreme conditions often cause pistons to crack, spark plug electrodes to fail, and exhaust valves to warp.
Maintaining a Top Fuel dragster equates to a frantic race against time—teams frequently have mere minutes to completely rebuild engines between runs. If a car continuously makes it to the finals during a racing season, the engine may undergo up to 184 complete rebuilds.