Is It Backwards? Why Does it Work?

Here is the physical layout of the cam lobes: the key to the cam points right up the #1 exhaust lobe. The key to the crank points right up the #1 cylinder so dot up in the crank is TDC of the #1 piston (either compression or end of exhaust) . With DOTS UP, your intake is fully closed on the #1.---with DOT TO DOT, your #1 intake valve is open. the intake lobe is about 60 degrees behind the exhaust lobe going clockwise from the front so if the cam key is at about 4:00, your intake valve is open. count back to the #6 intake and I bet its closed (TDC compression) when your DOT to DOT. That's just how it is. Someone can prove me wrong if you show us the cam lobe orientation on a bare cam.