timing question

well the thing i was going from is the top of the meter where the the arrow was and i was going by the mark i asumed what i was i supposed to gauge it by the meter i am speaking of is the the thing with the arrow pointinting towards the the thing thats spinning around with the hash marks please forgive if this sounds childish but i dont know and im not afraid or too proud to ask thanks again for your help being above i meant towards the plus sighn or towards top of motor or as facing car it would be counterclockwise