A timing assembly (200) for a manufactured wood products press (66) is provided. The manufactured wood products press includes a first drive shaft (120) coupled to a first platen (90) and second drive shaft (120) coupled to a second platen (90). The first and second platens are disposed within the manufactured wood products press in an opposed manner. The timing assembly includes a housing (202) and a plurality of timing gears (204) disposed within the housing. The plurality of timing gears are operatively connected to the first and second drive shafts for simultaneously driving the first and second drive shafts in an eccentric path.