Help with my broken 406

[Monster]

John- Ive talked to Tom regarding pistons, but since I'm building and someone else is machining he didn't seem to want to provide much information. As for second guessing the machine shop. It's more like getting a second opinion before an operation. That said, I may change "doctors" if I haven't been hearing the right proceedure's.

Ted- I wasn't considering boring to 427, only that most recomend that when boring a 427 that a torque plate should be used because of the thin cyl. walls. My question was "is this a concern with 406 since it has thicker walls"?

Blykins/Barry - I've been talking to Diamond and they are on the top of the list right now for pistons. That's where the 4.155 came from (it's the size of their .020-406 piston which is not stocked and cost about $620). I didn't ask about .030 to see if that was off the shelf but it's worth a phone call to find out.

I agree with all on the rods, which is why I bought a new set of Eagles, but I had yet another conversation today with another expert FE builder who said "you don't need change the stock rods, they are just as good as the new ones for most applications [unless your racing]" had me questioning myself.

It seems the more I ask the more "opinions" their are on what's needed and whats not.. so far I'm going with:

Torque plate's for boring (they could only help)
H-beams (already bought and the reason the engine broke was due to another components fatigue, not necessarily "cheap insurance" but they are insurance
Diamond pistons- The alternative would be $200 less but it's about piece of mind and the alternative was by the same source that said I didn't need to change the rods

Thanks,
MIke