300E air flow sensor

I am trying to solve a lingering hard start problem on my '86 300E. I believe the air flow sensor plate may need adjustment.
Here goes. There is a gap furthest from the fuel distributor which is larger than anywhere else on the plate. My understanding after reading Probsts' FI book is that the gap should be uniform around the plate and its zero position be even with the top of the vertical face.
So, do I adjust the plate downward (the large gap would disappear, but the plate might rest too far down in the vertical face.
Or, adjust the plate upward and re-center it. And to top it off, the guide pin is flush with the sensor housing so I am paraniod I might drive it into the intake manifold if I try to adjust downward.
Has anyone been through this procedure before? Thanks in advance.

-Blake