Doesn't sound like you did much wrong. Break in seems alright--even with the little extra cranking at first.
But I seen back in Jan you posted you where using 1.65 ratio rocker arms. On a high lift cam like this, wow. .580+ lift. for a duration 240 @ .050 cam
Chevy motors can get break in rocker arms in 1.3 ratio. Maybe you should had broke that cam in with stock "1.5 rockers"..more like 1.45 at the most.
BUT you spent big bucks at Hughes, they should had said something..problem with calling people over the phone. Better to talk in person with a group of shop guys, imo.
And yeah, high buck motors should have the engine builder start the motor on a test stand.