How EXACTLY can timing be changed? I've heard of a wire being jumpered but then what? Everyone says its easy but what is "it"?

 

move the distributor to change ignition timing

 

pull it out, and then turn it clockwise or counter? If thats all then is each tooth one degree?

 

Everything you need to know about adjusting your timing is in this thread.

 

Ok, I understand everything except, how are you determining the 'degree' of advance/retard? Maybe this has already been explained and I'm just being a dumbass but hehe I'm just a newbie

 

The harmonic balancer has a mark on it. If you're on the driver's side and you look just below your water pump at your harmonic balancer, you'll see a tab above it that has numbers on it. You may have to clean it off to be able to read it. When you have a timing light hooked up, the light will flash and you should be able to see the mark. If the mark is next to the 8 on the tab above 0, your timing is 8 degrees advanced. If the mark is next to the 2 below 0, your timing is 2 degrees retarded, etc. It'll make more sense when you're looking at it with a timing light.