Well got my head back from the machine shop today. It had NO burned exhaust valves they were just receding into the head. They installed hardened exhaust seats, ground all the valves, put in new cam bearings, the new Burton Stock cam, followers and oil spray tube. Did a cleanup mill on the head all for $300. Seemed pretty fair to me. Also gave me some Comp Cam lube to put on before start-up. Will be changing oil to one with some zinc before start-up as well.
Since the head was actually in pretty good shape I'm beginning to think the surging I was getting around 60 mph and the intermittent crappy idle is probably all carb related. It is a 5200 and has a rebuild kit in it but I know nothing more about it so far. I do know that it has never been adjusted they way it should be and hopefully that will help idle.