<VV> Exhaust temp... (was push rod tubes)

[Cash Case]

Now that I've got the push rod tubes in and everything back together  
I've started the car and it runs a bit rough.
A couple of things I noticed. First, the temperature at the exhaust  
pipe is different. I don't know how much, but I can feel the  
difference with my hand. Adjusting valves is still a bit of voodoo to  
me. Here's what I did:

1- I counted the number of turns required to remove the rocker arm  
nut on each cylinder. I know it's not perfect, but at least that put  
me in the ball park when putting things back together. This works ok.  
The only time there is troubler is if a stud turns.

2- Tested each lifter to make sure there was no 'lifting' off the  
valve stem when the tension is off the rocker.

3- I've got two valve covers that I use for adjusting the valves when  
running. There is a raised portion that runs the length of the valve  
cover.
I cut the portion out. The entire length. This allows me to run the  
engine and listen and see the rockers move while adjusting them. No  
muss, no fuss!

4- Start the engine. Now I can back off each rocker until they rattle  
and then tighten them down until it just stops. Then a quarter turn  
farther. I noticed that if I turn the valves just a bit too tight,  
then engine slows down... or speeds up, I can't remember. I guess  
that would be because of compression loss.

Here's what's interesting. The temperature of the exhaust on the  
passenger side is cooler than the driver's side. I don't know how  
much, but I can feel it with my hand at the exhaust pipe. This tells  
me I've got either valves tightened to the point of staying open or  
spark plugs not working... just on that side.... yeah right!   ;op

I'll go out and loosen those valves on that side just a bit in a  
little while. I've been at this for a while.

Anyone have any other ideas why the temp. might be different on each  
side?
-Cash