counterclockwise
Take the distributor cap off an crank the engine or turn the engine by hand clockwise and note the direction of the distributor rotor.
The distributor doesn't turn, the rotor inside turns clockwise.
On the Ford 200 cubic inch straight 6 cylinder engine , the distributor rotor turns CLOCKWISE
On a Ford V6 engine : clockwise ( unless it's the 3.8 liter V6 engine which has the distributor at the front of the engine , that one is counterclockwise ) On a Ford inline ( straight ) six cylinder the distributor rotor turns clockwise
Turn it to the opposite direction that the rotor rotates.
The distributor rotates CLOCKWISE
According to the About.com website : Looking from the top the distributor rotor turns COUNTERCLOCKWISE for the 1.6 and 1.9 liter four cylinder engines in a 1985 Ford Escort * firing order 1 - 3 - 4 - 2
On a 1990 Ford Thunderbird : The 3.8 liter V6 engine distributor rotor turns COUNTERCLOCKWISE
To advance, rotate the distributor counter-clockwise. To retard, roatate it clockwise).
it turns clockwise. Firing order of Volvo 240 w/B230 1342
To advance ignition timing, loosen the distributor clamp and in very small increments turn the distributor body in the OPPOSITE direction of the rotor's normal rotation. If you don't know which way the rotor turns, you can find out easily by removing the distributor cap and having a helper turn the engine over with the ignition key switch. To advance the timing turn the distributor counter clockwise.
Counterclockwise for the V-8, clockwise for the straight six.