One of the common failures was with crankshaft bearings.

Only the crankshaft bearings required the engine block to be removed from the chassis.

Big-end life was short at these sorts of revs and new crankshaft bearings were put in for every race.

The crankcase came in two pieces, with seven crankshaft bearings in the upper section.

They were fastened down by long bolts between them, which reached into the crankcase to support the four inner crankshaft bearings.

The cylinder is attached to one end of the bedplate, the crankshaft bearings are at the other.

An eighth crankshaft bearing was added beginning in January 1944 to help reduce motor failures.

So what happens when your crankshaft bearings finally yield?

If you do end up with new crankshaft bearings, they might last a little longer this time around.

If the crankshaft bearings went bad, the pump would seize, and they'd have to stop.