how to adjust cam gears
 

not 100% of which way to turn the adjustable cam gears to retard the timing, do I turn the cam gear counter clockwise to retard or turn it clockwise, thanks for any help guys

in my experience you turn the gears away from the firewall to retard timing and toward the firewall to advance.

my thoughts on this are if the engine spins clockwise (from fire wall to headlights while your looking at the cams.) you will advance the timing if you turn the gears to the opposite direction (counterclockwise)

but dont quote me the big dogs will jump in an help more i just saw the post first LOL

The motor spins clockwise, so if you want the cams advanced you would spin the center section of the cam gear clockwise (the part of the gear the cam is bolted to).

thanks guys

So which one is it? Both guys above have different answers

think of it this way. If the engine spins clockwise, then if you turn your gear clockwise it will see the valve open/close events sooner so its advanced. If you turn your gear counter clockwise it will see the same events later so its retarded.

clockwise = advance
counter clockwise = retard

Your advancing the cams relative to the belt. So if you keep the crank stationary and spin the cams CW your advancing them. This is the same as spinning the outer ring CCW with cams stationary.

Advancing the exhaust valves decreases overlap and expansion stroke. Retarding intake valves decrease overlap and compression stroke.