When I get busy in the machine shop, my "Mad Scientist" gene goes into overdrive! Fortunately, I've got a couple of lathes, a Bridgeport or two, two crankshaft grinders, a couple of Sunnen hones, and a line bore and a line hone to play with! Also a surface grinder and a radial drill press. That 7.1 rod is also a candidate for use in a flathead Ford stroker engine I've got on the drawing board. There are several Japanese Diesel pistons that would be compatible with highly modified antique engines- - - -Ford, GMC, and Chevy.
Jerry