clockwise
When looking down on it: clockwise
Turn it to the opposite direction that the rotor rotates.
Rotor Under Cap Spins: Clockwise
Clockwise.
Counter clockwise to advance.......clockwise to retard
That is because of the way the gear on the distributor and camshaft is tapered. If you turn it the other way it will pull the camshaft towards the rear of the engine. That is all normal. When you put it all together it won't do that.
Clockwise.
COUNTERCLOCKWISE
take off the distributor cap and have someone turn the engine over to see which way it turns. NEW ANSWER: CLOCKWISE rotation
There is a notch in the distributor housing. It can only go one way.
counter clockwise
unscrew the distributor pull it out about half way with the distributor cap off and turn the rotor clock wise to disired position