Do you think I got screwed, or is it just part of the hobby?

if the machine shop only did bottom end then bring that back. let them fix it and then disassembly it when u get it back and then re check there work.

i built a 396 chevy for a buddy few years back... had it running for 25 miles and the distubor geared wipped out and the brass went through oil and wiped out a rod bearing. i had to take entire motor back out, have crank cut, gaskets time, bearings and i didnt ask for a penny cause i stand behind my work

to this day nothing looked wrong everything was torqued, plastigauged... only thing i think in my mind it i got a bad cam (something past quaility control) from the start and was gonna happen no matter what.

reassembled it again same way has alot of miles on it now, no oil leaks, usage and gets wound right out through the 4 speed