Take very small C clamps and clamp the ruler to the" reference" side of the cam. (The machined side). Project the ruler straight up at TDC. Square to the head surface with a "T" square.. I used a 3/4in flat bar, maybe the ruler is too wide to fit .
Without knowing the open degree value of this cam, it is tough to make a change without the actual values. I just want this engine to run well , cover the AC operation, and return reasonable fuel economy. It is not fast or a track car yet.
I spend a lot of time degreeing in the cams of my race engines. Some are set for corner exit torque, some are set for top end RPM. Some are set to make the vacuum rule and still go fast. Than we run enough testing with the stopwatch. My VWs use a cam designed by me and cut by Techtonics. It is specific to our local rules regarding intake,exhaust, and vacuum.
This car runs perfect now, the lumpy idle is gone. It also may be partly due to the Mustang injectors. yes, I cut one coil; off of the front lower ends. Works perfect.