Savage_Rob wrote on 02/06/08 at 10:42:08:Personally, I like the wooden dowel in the sparkplug hole trick.
Yep, but the stick or straw (or timing mark) doesn't know the difference in TDC Compression and TDC Exhaust. Therefore you still have to watch the valves move.
If you don't understand that the Intake valves will open and close before TDC Compression, you just might adjust the valves after the Exhaust valves close instead.
Of course, if you are really anal, you could always remove the headcover, set the camshaft position, reinstall the headcover, and then adjust the valves...