Reading this thread because I too should be due for adjustment before long.

What I recall doing, is something like vstech suggests, but I would mark valves done both on sheet and on engine itself (dab of paint or ??) to avoid confusion. Using a 1 at a time methodical approach as some have described might reduce errors.

I have never had luck turning crank directly. I have the socket, but it seems to me extensions came off and it was hard to reach. If it is easy, I must be missing something. I have always used a crescent wrench on PS pulley plus a little hand tension on belt. I have one of those electric starter hand switches somewhere too, but never tried it.

__________________
Graham
85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5