Kip's41,
Your engine will not run if it is 180° out. If you are a tooth off it is of no consequence, as turning the distributor as you have done will negate this problem.
Your truck idles fine, so all is almost well. When you bring the RPM's up, your problems start, or become noticeable.
If the valves were sticky/gummy from years of neglect or storage, this becomes problematic when the engine speed increases and the valve hangs OPEN, not closed. A valve that is varnished shut might bend a pushrod, but one that is sluggish to close will allow the firing cylinder to blast back through it and the carburetor. This is how I understand it.
Stuart
