Just to clear up a couple of points.....

The original 440 strokers used the 4.15 crank, LY rods and 400 pistons. That's from back in the day when any real 440 stroker pistons would have been custom and $$$$$.

Lots of engines were built that way.

Lots of sets of LY rods have been into the 10s. I bet lots of cast pistons, too.

So I don't think you got less than what you were told. It sounds like a pretty nice street engine to me.

Did he specifically tell you the engine had aftermarket forged pistons or rods? I bet you ASSUMED that, because that's how most strokers are built nowadays. I also bet you haggled on the price.

The main reason for cracked piston ring lands is improper assembly of piston into block. It's a workmanship problem, not a material problem.

R.