Well, it's my turn to ask for suggestions..

A) Check TDC on balancer vs real TDC using a piston stop. Aftermarket balancers are seldom marked correctly.
B) Once you know that's right, it would probably pay to check the cam timing (degree the cam). Aftermarket timing sets, and camshafts are often not marked correctly or are just manufactured incorrectly. If you don't know this is put together right, you could be chasing your tail forever.
C) Then, and only then, can you start messing with timing. You want at least 14° at idle and about 34° all in by about 2500. Then you can fine tune the vacuum advance, if you have it.
D) Obviously, if the carb and rest of the fuel system worked before, I'd assume it was still O.K. so that would be the last place I'd look.