Rebuilt top end of engine now carb idles much higher?Please help

Rusty yes the initial timing is at 36deg at idle based on the timing light and when I tried to lower the initial timing it seemed like it was going to stall? I thought that initial timing was supposed to be around 15-30deg. I was confused by where it was set at? Did I not move the distributor far enough? I could of swore it was going to stall out if I tried to move it much lower. I made some marks on the engine block and the distributor so on reassembly when I put it back in and 1 cylinder was at TDC it seemed very close to what the initial timing was set at maybe 38deg it that possible? I know there are probably multiple things going on here.

Sounds like you have something WRONG, or perhaps your timing light is incorrect. Number one plug is the one on the driver's side, in the very front. Is that where you are attaching the timing probe? Also, I think it's time to verify TDC with a piston stop and make DAMN SURE the balancer has not slipped. 36* at idle is too much (unless the distributor has been locked out from racing) and that could be a contributor. You're just going to have to do some diagnosis.