The most accurate way, at least in my opinion, to adjust the lifters is to do it with the motor running. I know, sound ridiculous, but the shop manual static way just does not seem to get the job done. Snap on use to make a tool just for this purpose. Here is an early version.

http://www.lunnysauto.com/detail/Vintage-Snap-On-Pat-No-1544520-Valve-Adjusting_252480756671.html

But You can do it with a Vacco/Klein style screw holding screw driver:

https://www.grainger.com/product/VACO-Steel-Screw-Holding-Screwdriver-2DHC3

and a wrench.

Start the motor, warm it up. turn the idle down to the lowest point you can and still keep the motor running, pull the valve cover, put the wrench on the adjuster nut, the screw driver on the adjuster, slide the tightening slide on the screwdriver down so it stays on the moving valve adjuster, loosen the nut, loosen the adjuster until the valve taps, tighten the screw in until it stops tapping, Go 1/4 to 1/2 more, tighten the nut. Move on to the next valve. Its a bit of a pain, and you have to get use to it but it is an alternative and one that I have found to work better in my view. When I was 16 (1977) and did not know anything about repairing a car, I had an old time mechanic show me how to do this on my 57 235 motor. I have always adjusted hydraulic lifters in this way.

Last edited by Dragsix; 01/26/2018 8:57 PM.
Mike