[Pete]

It is absolutely amazing at how much work is expended trying to complicate a very simple job. The easiest way to remember numbers is the sequence they occur in. 1,2,3,4,5,etc.
THE ONLY THING YOU NEED TO REMEMBER WHEN ADJUSTING VALVES IS, IT HAS TO BE DONE ON THE HEEL OF THE CAM. This point is 180 degrees from the toe. (highest lift point) How you arrive at this point doesn't matter. A safe tolerance on this point is plus or minus 5 degrees.
Contrary to popular belief, the heel of the cam, (concentric part opposite the toe) can be very narrow, radially, on a performance grind leading to inaccurate adjustment with some adjustment sequences.

A very simple and easy method to remember is, start at number 1 and go right down the line NUMERICALLY. That means exhaust on one then intake on one, then do 2 and so on.
Rotate the engine so number one exhaust is open all the way. Make a chalk mark at a point on the front pulley. Rotate the crank 1 turn back to the mark. This will put the cam on the heel where you adjust the clearance on that valve. MARK THAT LIFTER BOSS WITH CHALK.
RUB THE CHALK MARK OFF THE FRONT PULLEY.
Repeat this sequence on the next valve.

As a side note, it is a good idea to check the heel runout on any cam before installing.
Even the big names screw up quite often.