Nissan Repair: Nissan datsun truck 1984, nissan datsun, datsun truck

Question
Truck was running grate.Was towing a trailer with
not more than 1200 lbs.I stop to get gas and when I started to go to the town dump. the truck started to make a clacking noise
from the front of engin with lost of power moter was not running smoth very shaky.it also was starting to run hot.
The truck has never goten hot on me before.Is it Timing belt or jdid it go m180 out how do i determen this I cant aford to take it to a shop. can you please help by pointing me in the rite way of repair.

Answer
Robert,

Sounds like the engine has jumped timing and the clacking is the valves hitting the pistons.  You could take the timing belt cover off and turn the engine over, using a socket and a long ratchet to get it to top dead center.  Rotate the crank until the mark at the crank lines up with the cover.  Check the mark on the cam.  If all line up the engine did not jump timing and you have other issues.  If the marks do not line up replace the timing belt and perform a compression check and see what is going on.  But, from my experience if the engine jumped timing and the valves being bent (low compression) would mean getting a wrecking yard engine to swap yours out.  Check the timing belt and compression and email me back.