When adjusting the valves, you should be barley able to remove the feeler gauge when tightening not som amuch as to struggle but it should be pretty tight.

John:
Are you still having problems with the #1 cylinder, or is that issue resolved?
Kudos on adjusting your valves. They are the worst PITA on the car. I would rather drink pond water and restring the spool on the weedeater five times than adjust those things, but it is probably the most important maintenance chore.
Pat

Now THAT is a PITA job!!! :D

If you are going to replace the rotor, replace the distributor cap as well. This maintenance procedure is, in my humble view, more important than changing plugs. That is, unless a plug is fouled. Any car with a distributor cap and rotor that are older than 10,000 miles or so, will run better with these two new parts.

Also, clean any and all electrical connections you can find, bar none.

This is a good thread. I have been contemplating doing it myself for a while now. Just cant see my academic self manage it without disaster pending. This thread helps building my confidence though. :)