OK the verdict is IN. with all due respect to all of you who have different methods of adjusting valves (specifically the 225) the best way I found was with the engine RUNNING. not only was i able to HEAR what i was doing but i could tell when a specific cylinder was out of wack and after trying it WITHOUT the engine running i found i had not adjusted a few valves correctly. thats not to say i was even doing it correctly BUT i know i was damn close. but NOW i have extinguished ALL the ticking and the engine is PURRING like a kitten ! THANKS DAN for your help and advice and also to all of you that gave your input. I am so stoked to have this thing running the way it should !