Nissan Repair: Aligning positions for 2001 Nissan Xterra timing belt., nissan xterra, interference engine

Question
2001 Nissan Xterra.  Timing belt broke while running, have everything apart, need to know the following.  
1- Want to know how to position the cam and crank when installing belt. Notches, marks and positions of each. Currently I have no acess to a repair manual.
2- What are the chances that valves were bent when the belt broke?

Thanks!!

Answer
Jason,

This is an interference engine and you should check for valve damage before proceeding.  Now, you could put the belt on and run it and see if the valves are bent.  The other way is to take the heads off and see what things look like inside.  You will need to get a Haynes manual or a Chilton to get the photograph of where things need to be.  I would also replace the water pump while I was in there.  Basically, rotate the crank to top dead center and then take the cover off and then rotate the cams to where the point lines up with the line at the top and then lace the new belt on.  I would also get a new tensioner as I hate to do timing belts twice.  A month or so down the road the old pulley will end up making noise or locking up and taking the new belt with it.  Once you get it back together do a compression check and see how it holds pressure.  If some are low you know you have a bent valve or two.