Method and device for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine

In an internal combustion engine, an inlet valve timing, an exhaust valve timing and a fuel injection timing are controlled independently from one another by appropriate rotation of a shaft (42). An inlet valve operating lever support (126), an outlet valve operating lever support (130) and a fuel injection operating lever support (134) are rotationally supported by separate rotatable shafts, each rotatable shaft being provided with a corresponding eccentric (36, 38, 40) for supporting an associated operating lever. The shaft (42) is configured to engage at least two of the operating lever supports at different rotational positions to adjust the same. Accordingly, at least one of an inlet valve timing, an exhaust valve timing and an injection timing may be adjusted by the shaft (42) while at least one other remains stationary.