Inside Kenny Bernstein Racing, work stations were filled with fresh new parts

Several pallets of clutch discs are needed to get a Funny Car through the season. Trick Titanium bell housings require extra reinforcing ribs for added strength. Notice the three adjustment points on the clutch pedal and on the actuator arm (lower).

A shelf full of new cylinder heads from Alan Johnson Performance Engines requires cases of intake and exhaust valves from Manley, in order to complete the assembly process.

Blower manifolds require several steps before they're ready to be bolted on. Three raw castings are shown here, along with a manifold that's been fitted with studs and one set of port nozzles.

Cylinder head specialist, Adam Morton, was busy checking every combustion chamber to verify the cubic centimeters of volume (CC). One by one, each chamber is blocked off with a special Plexiglas plate. Then, a liquid is transferred to the chamber via a burret (shown), which is marked in increments of 1cubic centimeter, from top to bottom. Working from its full point, the burret shows how many CCs of liquid the combustion chamber holds. This critical test is necessary in determining the proper head gasket thickness that's needed, as cylinder block deck dimensions can vary somewhat.

Veteran Funny Car crew member, Ed Tyler, has an admirable resume, including 15 years of service contributing to record-setting performances and championship teams. Superchargers are just one of his specialties. His vast experience also serves another function for Ray Alley and Johnny West. Tyler helps oversee the rest of the crew, by watching each operation of engine tear-down and assembly, thereby double checking that each task is done properly. After all, championship-winning teams avoid mistakes before they can occur.

Chris Rose has a few years under his belt, having worked on Hillary Will's Top Alcohol Dragster and also the Ken Black-owned Top Fuel car she drives. Here at Bernstein's, Johnny West has tapped Rose to handle short block prep.

Ray Alley (L) worked closely with Dennis Taylor of Taylor Motorsports Products in the development of a new engine containment diaper. Alley had Taylor integrate an inner diaper made from aluminized Kevlar and ballistic Kevlar with the outer diaper, which consists of ballistic Kevlar and ballistic nylon. Ray's new design affords a higher level of protection, in hopes of avoiding costly oil-down penalties (points and cash) during the long NHRA POWERade season.

Ignition specialist Brad Mason is no stranger to mechanical things. He parlayed 15 years as an auto mechanic into a successful Top Fuel and Funny Car career.

Tom Backaitis is an all around guy. We caught him prepping a new mounting plate for the dual parachutes, though he's got experience working on Mountain Motor Pro Stocks and Top Fuel Dragsters.