Why did I spin a main bearing?

The crank measured out good so i polished the journals with 1000 grit and a shoestring if i remember right. The engine never went to the machine shop. internally balanced. I did not check the balance. I just did a quick, cheap rebuild because the oil rings were collapsed and it smoked bad. after 40 years that's understandable and it sat for about 20 years before i started it back up. also wanted a little more cam so that was the last straw. I made sure everything went back where it came from though. was running about 3000 rpm and just went to grab 3rd. thanks for the quick responses
if this motor sat for 20 yrs. was it primed before it was started ??? and did the new cam go in easily......Artie