So just to be sure, the pilot screw adjusts the air in the pilot circuit. The idle screw adjusts the height of the slide. (Stuck in the house and had a few drinks). Set the slides so you are idling at about 12-1400 rpm, tweak the pilot screws for best rpm, turn the idle down and repeat. It will idle down to about 700 rpm (not necessarily a good thing!!)
I do the slide sync by hand/eye with the carbs off the cylinder head, from first movement to wide open. Once all set check with a manometer. Once you get it dialled I. It's like the difference between an out of tune and in tune guitar.
Edit: agree popping is air leak in exhaust side or lean pilot circuit.