valve timing - help!

[tacoboy]

OK, here is my situation: 1997 Stratus, 2.0 liter SOHC, 125k miles. I just replaced the cam and crank oil seals. Now it was time to put everything back together. In the process of getting the crank sprocket back on the crankshaft, the crankshaft was inadvertently turned clockwise one or two turns, I lost track. I eventually figured out how to install the sprocket without having to monkey with the thing at all. Now I am faced with proper valve timing. The camshaft timing mark is nearly aligned with the mark on the timing belt cover. My questions are: When the camshaft timing marks align, are both valves closed? If so, is there now a true way to set the crankshaft so that the pistons will not damage the valves? When the camshaft timing marks align, does this mean that the No. 1 piston should be at TDC and is that the position that is desired for piston #1 when the camshaft is at this point? I have read methods to determine when piston #1 by removing the No. 1 plug and inserting a dowel and watching it rise to know when the piston is at TDC. Is all hope lost for me? I really want to be sure I am correct about it before I install the timing belt and crank it up. Thanks for your input.

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[gmansrt10]

When the cam marks are aligned it varies where the valves will be. But if the cam marks are aligned (make it as close to perfect as possilbe) the valves should be safe from the piston. But all adjust ments are supposed to be done with the #1 cyl at TDC. As long as you dont have the crank and cams connected with the timing belt, you should be able to make adjust ments with both crank and cams. But you have to make sure there perfect before and after the timeing belt is installed. I would advise replacing the timing belt as well.