long distance troubleshooting

I can't go out and look at it so...
I think I burnt a valve but maybe someone has seen it before. The carb started dumping fuel and I'm pretty sure it wasn't for but a day or two until I caught it. It did belch and throw some fire(and stayed on fire) so I went and got a new carb. I got it home with alot of surging and almost no power. Now it wont start without spitting flames and dies. The day I left I got it to fire and stayed running, but rough, at idle for about 5 minutes.
I was going to take it to a shop on my mid-tour leave, but decided I would do it myself and If I can get a guesstimation on what it might be I can arrange someone to accept whatever work I might need done during that time.
Without tearing it apart I was guessing a valve but I keep wondering about timing also, any thoughts?

Do a compression test and record your numbers if you burnt a valve you'll find it.

without more info hard to say,

Maybe a broken rocker, bent pushrod???

Samll block, big block, history on the motor????

timing chain age?

Sorry guys I know it's about as vague as it gets. I just wanted to start buying parts now but in reality I need to buy everything for the heads anyways for a refresh and a new timing chain isn't going to hurt.