Any valve lash advice from the gurus?

I enjoy doing it while the engine is running. Run it ten minutes then go to work. Much easier to get an accurate read and you save time and starter life not clunking the engine around twice for each cylinder. Throw a junk towel down the side to catch wayward oil, or cut a valve cover window if you have a spare one. I also highly recommend silicone valve cover gaskets. They last forever and make the annual valve lash job so much cleaner and easier.