1988 TERCEL >TIMING QUESTION??

Hello, I Have A 1988 Tercel With An Auto. Transmission And The Model 3e Engine In It. I Would Like To retard The Timing Becuse Of too Much Knock And Ping But I Am Unsure Which Way To Turn The Distributer. ( Clockwise Or Counter Clockwise? ) The Car Has Had A Tuneup And I Don't Feel Like Putting High Octane Gas In It. The Gas Prices Are High Enough With The 87 Octane Gas. Turning The Timing Back just A Hair Should Help. Any Help/advice Would Be Helpful. Thank You... Joet/camry

Hello, I Have A 1988 Tercel With An Auto. Transmission And The Model 3e Engine In It. I Would Like To retard The Timing Becuse Of too Much Knock And Ping But I Am Unsure Which Way To Turn The Distributer. ( Clockwise Or Counter Clockwise? ) The Car Has Had A Tuneup And I Don't Feel Like Putting High Octane Gas In It. The Gas Prices Are High Enough With The 87 Octane Gas. Turning The Timing Back just A Hair Should Help. Any Help/advice Would Be Helpful. Thank You... Joet/camry
Hello, I answered my own question today about the timing on a 1988 toyota tercel with a 3E engine. I discovered that turning the distributer clockwise advances the timing and turning it counter clockwise retards the timing. I retarded the timing just a hair and now the car runs much better. Got rid of 90% of the knock/ping. :D Thanks anyways... JOET/CAMRY