Hey Cap, My dad wanted to ask if you remember what happened when you took a hydraulic camshaft and set it to 0 lash.
(He did that to his 307 and was curious if people here remembered what that did.)
it's been awhile, but i tend to set hydraulic cams with the engine running. i set them till i feel comfortable before starting. i've got 2 valve covers i've cut out. one for fords, one for chevys. i install this valve cover on one bank, start the engine, and slowly tighten the rocker down. i generally went till it juuuuuuuuusssssstttt stopped making noise, then about a half turn further.
i know it doesn't sound right, but it's worked for me for years. the cut out valve cover keeps me from spraying oil all over the place.
if you set them to 0 lash, before letting the lifters pump up, bad things happened if i recall. it's been over 20 years though, because i've been either using solid cams, or roller cams for that long.