Thanks W8ye! Your instructions for how to change the valve clearances were great. I did just like you wrote and found them to be off by .002" (still within OS's tolerances). I don't think that's what solved my problem, but I do feel like it's running much stronger now than it was before. I think what ended up doing it was a carb flush along with 3/4 of a turn out on the needle. It smokes like crazy, runs strong, and will transition well as soon I sort out the low end. Thanks to everyone who provided help!

Reid