Bill,
In your "before" picture of the range wiring with #6 conductors, it's obivous that it's bad wiring, but would this be a violation of 110.14(A) ('02 NEC) ?
110.14 (A) Terminals. Connection of conductors to terminal parts shall ensure a thoroughly good connection without damaging the conductors and shall be made by means of pressure connectors (including set-screw type), solder lugs, or splices to flexible leads. Connection by means of wire-binding screws or studs and nuts that have upturned lugs or the equivalent shall be permitted for 10 AWG or smaller conductors.
That last sentence seems to imply that the stud/nut terminals on that range are not allowed to be used directly with anything larger than #10 wire.
