Started My '69 For The First Time

Well, I started my '69 chevelle 396BB for the first time this past Saturday. The last time it was running was in 1989 when I tore it all down for a frame off resto. I just had the motor rebuilt this last winter/spring and got it put on the frame in the summer and put the body on the frame too. I asked everybody on this planet what the proper way is to break in a new motor and 50% said one way and 50% said another way. Then I asked the machine shop that did my motor and they said to get it up to temp and then just drive it. When I started it, it wouldn't idle and just die, so my friend put his hand over the carb to act like a choke (BG carb with no choke plate). When it got up to temp it would idle rough and then we had to turn it off real quick, the headers were glowing red hot and looked like they were going to melt even with the jet-hot coating. I hope I didn't screw anything up. I took the BG carb off and took it to the engine rebuilder and they said they would bench test it. Is there anything I should do when I get the carb back and go to start the engine again or should I just drive it?.