Agree on the timing belt, but pics are a must. I use Photobucket to host my pics.

Hopefully you can get pics posted up so we can further assist you. IF, the belt is trashed, then more than likely your valves are gone. You can get re manufactured heads for $300 a piece if they are trashed. Been there, done that. Clearwater Cylinder head is the best source. Keep posting up and we'll all figure it out with you.

And not to be THAT guy, but it reads like your niece's husband should keep his hands off that engine for a bit until we can figure this out. The factory marks on the cams are there for a reason, and are to be used to correctly time the engine. I'm not sure if I'm reading correctly when you say "my niece's now husband made marks on the gear looking things and had them lined up with the arrows, not the factory white marks" but it has me a bit concerned, and further points to a timing issue.

Gotta give another shout out for the Army folks. Desert Storm vet myself. Thank you for your service.