GB. A very interesting reply from SRM. Without knowing if you have had other contact with them in this matter, I can see no indication on their part for you to return the followers for any sort of quality assessment. I can understand their request for photographic evidence, but I would have considered any customer difficulty concerning their brand of parts would need to be quickly investigated to avoid any adverse repercussions. Business is all a matter of confidence, and it is easier for any retail business to keep an existing customer than get new ones.
As for your motor, the basics need a reality check, such as the valve lengths, valve springs, spring cap, collet position on the valve stem, bottom cup. Are all these parts the right parts for the head? Your engine should not have valve lash caps in standard trim.
I have a feeling that the answer will be a big yes, knowing that you know a lot about engines (by chance found your amazing Ford Consul story).
So, it is all down to those high quality followers and the camshaft profile.
If it were my bike, I would put in a low lift 334 cam, some tired springs and a set of reasonable genuine followers. That would get you back in the saddle. Sorry if it is all back together, I thought it was still awaiting reassembly.
Meanwhile, have a word with David Newman Camshafts in Farnborough, Kent. Nice people to deal with, and they understand older engines.
Swarfy.
Additional.. Rare example of levitation on your new stainless worktop, and your phone is off the hook.