[pat in Santa Cruz]

The problem with measuring the tops of the fingers is that often the contact surface is worn more on one finger than another. So a final adjustment using feeler gauges is more accurate. After setting them with a feeler gauge, I then use bluing on the TO bearing and check the contacts with a light pressure on the pedal. When they're all contacting at once, it will eliminate any chatter caused by uneven fingers. It will not help chatter from grease or cracks in the flywheel or pressure plate or from uneven spring strength.