I want to retard the timing a bit on my 1994 Mazda Protege (single
overhead cam).  Do I rotate the distributor clockwise or
counterclockwise?  (there's no vacumn advance, so the old "hand trick"
won't work).

I would be happy to include a nice bonus if someone can tell me how in
the heck I'm supposed to use a timing gun in this car.  There's so
much stuff crammed in there and it's so tight that, I can barely even
see the harmonic balancer.  I don't see any sort of index tab to point
the gun at.  And the HB is not visible at all from under the car
(there's a big splash shield).  Is there a different procedure than
the old-fashioned way to set the timing in this car?

Hi David,

I'm so glad the information we provided worked for you! And, yes, if
you'd closed the question, I'd not have been credited, so thanks for
your consideration in leaving it to me.

I'll paste my complete comment in here to make it all official. Please
rate the answer as you see fit.    :)

I wish you well,
revbrenda1st

Answer:

A suggestion from my husband -- check the top area of the
transmission's bell housing for a rubber inspection plug (about 2
inches in diameter). If there's one there, there's a good chance that
when you remove the plug you'll see timing indicator numbers or marks
on the edge of the inspection hole. If they're there, hook up your
timing light on number 1 plug wire, start your engine, shine the
timing light at the inspection hole and watch for your timing mark
indicator on the flywheel or torque converter face. Loosen off your
distributor slightly and move it left or right while watching your
mark to see which way advances or retards the timing.
 
I am placing this as a comment, rather than as an official answer
since without actually having your Mazda in our yard, and with no
manual for the car, he can only offer information from his experiences
with cars in general. He agrees that imports pose challenges when
trying to do any engine repairs because of space constrictions. If you
can't even see the HB, he thinks it's a safe bet that your Mazda will
have that bell housing plug, as do most of the imports. He's sorry he
can't recall off-hand in which direction you'd turn the distributor,
but he says you'll know as soon as you turn it.

Hi David,

A suggestion from my husband -- check the top area of the
transmission's bell housing for a rubber inspection plug (about 2
inches in diameter). If there's one there, there's a good chance that
when you remove the plug you'll see timing indicator numbers or marks
on the edge of the inspection hole. If they're there, hook up your
timing light on number 1 plug wire, start your engine, shine the
timing light at the inspection hole and watch for your timing mark
indicator on the flywheel or torque converter face. Loosen off your
distributer slightly and move it left or right while watching your
mark to see which way advances or retards the timing.

I am placing this as a comment, rather than as an official answer
since without actually having your Mazda in our yard, and with no
manual for the car, he can only offer information from his experiences
with cars in general. He agrees that imports pose challenges when
trying to do any engine repairs because of space constrictions. If you
can't even see the HB, he thinks it's a safe bet that your Mazda will
have that bell housing plug, as do most of the imports. He's sorry he
can't recall off-hand in which direction you'd turn the distributer,
but he says you'll know as soon as you turn it. Let me know if this
works for you, and I'll post it as an answer. Good luck!

revbrenda1st

Thanks for the info.  I will check that rubber plug thing.  But I
won't be able to do it unitl this weekend.  Wow, I would have never
have thought of such a thing as that plug.  I guess I'm an
old-fashioned sort of guy when it comes to automotive mechanics (I cut
my teeth on a '74 LTD - ahh, the bad ol' good ol' days when
under-the-hood had room for a hand AND a wrench!)

If this information proves correct then I will gladly consent to
closing the question.  If I can see timing marks, I can figure out
myself easily enough which way to turn the distributor (as you say). 
I could probably tell by ear, listening for the distinctive ping
(surely they haven't changed THAT!), but I much prefer to hold a
strobe to some timing marks.

Tnanks again, and I'll let you know what I find when I have a chance
to get under the hood...

Hi David,

My husband's been a licensed mechanic for almost 35 years. I sometimes
think he has oil, not blood, coursing through his veins. He asks me
all the time if I've heard how you did yet. If you use the
Clarification button to let me know how things turn out, I'll be
notified by e-mail. (Comments don't generate an automatic
notification.)

rev

Your information on the timing method was accurate and most helpful!

I'm not sure if I close the question myself, if you still get credit
for it.  So I'll let you close it...

Thanks again!!!

Thanks, David, for the rating and the tip. My man grinned from ear to
ear when I told him his information was correct.