Another look at setting valves.
 

Much has been said about proper valve adjustment and use of various handles to hold that little .004" shim between the valve stem and adjustment foot. No question it is awkward to fit the shim into position and then adjust the screw and tighten the nut and then pull the shim out while "feeling" whether the adjustment is .004" or something else more or less.
My question for those of you who would care to express an opinion is why can't I set the valve gap by placing my feeler gauge between the cam lobe and the rocker arm?
Yes, I'm aware of the rocker ratio and how it changes the dimension from .004" to .00272". So this means a tight .003" will be very close to .004" at the valve stem- foot gap.
It is simple to slide a normal .003" feeler into this gap without the use of any special holder. The cam lobe and rocker arm actually guide the feeler into position and it is easy to push and pull the feeler to decide whether the drag on the feeler is proper.
I use the .004" feeler as a no-go gauge.
I don't worry about special tools, or little screws falling into my motor.
I do have one of those special handles and found its use somewhat awkward and difficult to actually feel my adjustment.
Anyway, I hope this might stimulate some discussion about what may be an alternate method, unless someone comes up with a reason why this could not possibly work.
Thanks,

I do not like the special tools as well. I have set of feeler guages. I pull the .004 one out. I then bend it at almost a 90 degree angle. The rest of the feeler guages acts like a perfect handle. While griping the feeler guage, I use my forfinger to push the .004 guage. Try it because I think it works great. I was taught this by a friend years back when he worked on vw's.
I know this does not answer your ? I just find this way (tool) of doing it the best.

that does sound like a good idea, using the cam area. But maybe it scratches the cam and rocker ? I could see that being a issue