Hi there. I recently had the head gaskets replaced on my 1993 Cougar because they were both blown. Before the replacement the engine would crank but not start. After the replacement just yesterday the engine would crank but not start, which confuses me. Could this be a timing chain problem and if so, how could this have happened when the car wasn't driven for 3 months? All I have done was crank the engine to see if it would start prior to finding out my head gaskets were blown. My friend thinks it could be a distributor module problem? Please post your suggestions. Replacing the timing chain is the last thing I want to do, since I just had the engine put back together, but then again, If you could provide me with a straight "yes its the timing chain" I would feel a little better, rather than playing the guessing game on what the problem is. Thanks! =)

do general trial and error stuff. the car ran perfectly fine, sat for 3 months, then wouldn't start, correct? that doesn't sound like a problem with the timing drive.

are the spark plugs good? plug wires not cracked, have you checked the distributor cap and rotor for any damage?
is fuel getting to the injectors? fuel filter's not clogged?

Ignition module / crank sensor maybe?

Update: Before the car had stopped starting I had taken off the spark plug wires to the distributor because they were blocking my view. My dad and I sat for about an hour trying to find the right firing order because i had forgotten the order. We finally got the car started but it had no power. We were then told that it was a blown head gasket.

Now: We have completely put the engine back together with new head gaskets and such, unfortunatley, the car is in the same position it was when I had taken the wires off, but this time it will not start at all, as if we have the wrong firing order. But we have checked dozens of times comparing it to this website: http://autorepair.about.com/library/firing_orders/bl-fo-8095.htm Could we possibly still have the wrong firing order? Could the timing chain seriously have jumped just by us cranking the engine and testing the different firing orders? My uncle suggested that it the valves could be too tight or too loose, is this a possibility? I'm about to give up on the car because me nor the mechanic working on it can figure out what the hell is wrong. Thanks for your time.

Start with the basics and work forward. Verify you have fuel in the cylinders, air, and compression. If there is no compression you could have a bad timing chain. Pull the valve covers and crank the engine over. If the rockers move the chain is intact. Check base timing. Be sure to disconnect the timing advance. The little plug in the wiring harness. If the heads were removed verify the distributor isn't 180 off. Start with the basics before you look too big and complicated.

chances are....if it's a year old the problem has been resolved in one manner or another