Are the pistons positioned so that if u align the crankshaft appropriately (during timing belt replacement, etc.) the 1st piston is automatically in the TDC position?

I'm trying not to bust my valves should the pistons come up and hit them... thanks!

 

Yes. When you line up the marks on the crankshaft, then #1 & #4 are at top center. #2 & #3 are at bottom center. If you're worried about clearance, try this...

Put the crankshaft mark 90degrees away, so none of the pistions are at the top. Then you can position the camshafts by their markings, without worrying about the valves hitting the pistons. When the cams are lined up, all the valves are closed. Then you can turn the crankshaft to its mark & put on the timing belt.

 

Should all the valves be closed when u r aligning the new timing belt in?... hence with all alignment correctly done, should the valves be all closed when u r all done and ready to star the engine?

For example... crankshaft perfectly aligned (piston 1 & 4 at top, 2 & 3 at bottom) and camshaft perfectly aligned (all cam lobes indicating that all valves are closed)... is this the correct way to have things b4 u start the car for the first time after a new belt?

What happens if it's not like that?! Possible piston/valve collision accident?

 

Once you have the belt on, it should be like this...
Crank is positioned at #1 tdc, like you said. Cams are aligned by the marks on their sprockets. There's four positions where all valves are (mostly) closed, so you don't do it by looking at the cam lobes. You look at the timing marks on the sprockets.

Once you have the belt on, check that the marks still line up. Adjust the tensioner. Turn the engine forward a couple of revolutions till the marks come back up. Check the timing marks again to verify. If your belt is good then it doesn't matter where it is when you first start.

 

Sweet... thx!