valve clearence and cam-timing questions

[shbop]

I've been doing volunteer work in a local shop for the past 4 mths. After many oil changes, brake work, etc., I was given the opportunity to service a 964. After adjusting the valves a mech. came over to check my work. He said that the valves were far too loose, and then re-adjusted them for me to "feel". He said that the .004" was far too noisy and that I should adjust them as the ones he did. I did. Having done a lot of motorcycle work, I think I'm pretty familiar with what .002-.003" feels like, and I'd say the valves re-adjusted felt closer to .002" than .004". Perhaps the foot on the rocker is throwing off my perception. For those of you that do this for a living. Do you adjust by the feel method, and if so, do you feel that the .004" is too noisy? Also, If this is the case, when you're building a motor, do you carefully adjust #1 and #4 @ .004" for timing purposes, and then go back and re-adjust? I'm aware of what too little time, spent on the seat ,can do to a valve, but I'm curious how those of you that do this for a living feel. Also, what is the max. difference in cam-timing acceptable on a spec. of 4.2--4.7mm? Thank you in advance!