I have a sbc 350.    
I took the engine out of my 71 chevy pickup. The plugs were a golden brown, it idled at 500 rpm with the same carb i have on it now. Its now in my 88 camaro.  
I have an air/fuel monitor and reguardles of what i do it says its running rich. Ive tried every jet size from 49 thru 84(80 is in now it seems to run  the smoothest and have the best power with them). Ive rebuilt the carb and Im hoping the piston rings arent bad.
I just reset the valves per the instructions via chevy high performance magazine(EO-IC). The engine ran smoother before i reset the valves but not smooth enough. Plus the valvetrain seemed to make noise.
My question is since i reset the valves should i re check the disrib too?
I dont see how it could have gotten messed up, but when i press the gas pedal and it gets to a certain rpm it bogs and back fires(it started this when i reset the valves).So it sounds like timing to me? Also,It didnt want to start until i advanced the distrib and doesnt want to idle/run below 750(initial timing is set at 12 degrees). Ive checked for vacuum leaks but i havent found any yet.
Also when i put the factory heads back on i wasnt paying attention(damn rookies) so the casting numbers are upside down. Does it really make a difference? Are chevy heads side specific?
Sorry for the length. Any help is greatly appreciated thanks.  

What carb do you have? Are you useing an electric fuel pump? I didnt read the article about valve adjustment but here is the field-expediant method. With num. 1 TDC comp, loosen, then take up to zero clearance In- Ex, then one full turn with GM lifters. After adjusting num. 1, adjust Ex 3, 4, 8. In. 2,5,7. Roll the engine over 360 deg.(# 6 TDC Comp.) adjust In. 3,4,6,8. Ex.2,5,6,7. Make shure you take adj. down, one full turn with GM lifters. As for the distributor, it would not be influenced by a valve adj. Heads can be used on both banks of engine. Question, if engine ran good before the swap, shouldnt that tell you, the problem has to do with the hardware the new car has. Sounds like you did not swap out that high pressure fuel pump used on the TBI for a 4.5-6 lbs mechanical pump. Get those valves adj. Set timing 5-8 deg. initial adv. Address that fuel pressure problem and chances are you will once again enjoy the sweet music of Chevrolet.  

I have a road demon jr 625.It recommends initial engine timing  at 12 degrees btdc.
Its an electric fuel pump that i know is too big so i have two fuel pressure regulators on it(an Aeromotive return style, and a Holley return style). I was planning on returning it to fuel injection thats why i still have the electric fuel pump in it.
The article says to adjust the valves one cylinder at a time. That way you dont forget to adjust other valves.Its easier than adjusting them in the firing order. I preloaded the valves one half turn after slight resistance between the rocker and pushrod. If i decided to use a mechanical pump could i just disconnect the wires on the electric pump? would the mechanical pump be powerful enough to draw fuel through it? Taking the tank out of a camaro is a huge hassle.
Thanks Again  

here is the site for the tech article if your interested in reading it. thanks again
www.chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/148_0303_setting_valves_info?index.html  

sorry instead of _info? its info/index.html sorry  

The valve adj. procedure I told you is the fastest most trouble-free way I know of. It only involves rolling the engine once for all the valve adjustments. I will check out that other one. I think the mechanical pump will draw through the electric one without a problem. Not positive though. Again I will say, if useing GM lifters, adj. one full turn past zero lash. Talk to you soon.  

I'll have to set the valves again. I could have missed a valve or something, most likely on the passenger side bank. Your input is appreciated  

Ive adjusted the valves again. The engine runs decent but the valves make noise. the idle is better than it was. Going to re-adjust valves with the engine running to see what happens. Goin to make a mess