"Yeah, I suppose you could do
"Yeah, I suppose you could do that. It is a foreign concept to me because I grew up using the locating pin. It and the hole it fits in is there to stabilize the gauge for an accurate reading but the measurement itself is from the surface of the base to the top of the spring pallet.
I've seen guys bend the pins to "customize" the action and even use the depth plunger on dial indicators to obtain the measurement. It's all pretty subjective to feel and every tuner's timing setting will be different so, go ahead, and do your own thing. Just keep in mind that higher is advanced and lower is retarded. Advance gives a teeny bit better throttle response on a warm engine while retarded gives easier cold starts.
It's just that the closer you can get each injector timed to be just like the others and, if they are accurately delivering metered volume (matched), you will get a smoother idleing engine with less buffer screw. As matter of fact, that's the old test for a properly tuned engine; if it doesn't "hunt" more that once or twice coming down on a "snap idle" from a throttle bump with the buffer backed all the way out, you pretty much nailed it. So, take your time when timing.;~)
I'm sure any tool truck guy like Snap-On or Mac could get you the tool. I always liked the Snap On ones better than the Kent Moore (SPX today) anyway."