Ok, I re read your post, missed it the first time. Straight edge is acceptable, I would have used a feeler gauge with it. I was a tool and die maker during my working years, so measure,measure,measure. See my above post on compress.
I know you are frustrated, its a long road but your going to get through this.
I question your dyno guy. Don’t you want to run your avs after you get this straightened out.