Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): B&S 23HP Huscavarna 48 Followup, huscavarna, compression stroke

Question
Hey Robert,
Followup on question from 8/21/2009.
How do I tell when the engine is in the right position to check vlave gap. The Book for the 440000 series shows a Valve clearance on both intake and exhaust set at .004 - .006in at 1/4in past TDC. Even to an electrical type like myself this sounds wrong.
Biggest issue is telling how far past TDC I am. Can you help?

Answer
Hi Larry
The easy way is to remove the valve cover, remove the spark plug, and turn the engine by hand to the compression stroke (neither valve moving). Take a pencil and insert it into the spark plug hole and turn the motor by hand until you feel the piston come up to TDC. Continue turning the engine while watching the pencil go down 1/4 in and set your valves. This may not be a technical answer, but it works. Good Luck.