[dtw]

While you're in there, go ahead and check your head studs - even if they look like they are intact, put a wrench on each head stud nut and make sure they are secure. One more thing to rule out.

Q1 - with plugs out, it should be pretty easy to turn the motor, but on a short spanner with the motor still in the car, it might seem pretty difficult. Can you get a longer wrench in there?

Q2 - I've seen some builders do that - they try to seat the rocker shafts in a different position in the cam towers in order to give them a better chance of 'biting' and staying tight. Not a technique I would use, but I've never seen anything bad come from it. Just make sure none of the shafts have walked out enough that the shaft is no longer seated in the cam tower - then they make a terrific racket before causing all kinds of other damage. BTDT.