91 escort will not start

was driving and all was nice, just replaced thermostat gasket, shifted into 2nd and it died. i couldnt get it started after that. I checked all the fuses, which seem to be in good condition, im getting spark and im getting fuel im pretty sure. I had a couple people who consider themselves mechanics helping me out and they both think that it jumped time. is that possible? i wasnt rodding on it at all, i just bought the car today, the last thing i wanted to do was break it doing somehting stupid...Is there a cheap way to check and see what the problem is, or a relay to replace?

was driving and all was nice, just replaced thermostat gasket, shifted into 2nd and it died. i couldnt get it started after that. I checked all the fuses, which seem to be in good condition, im getting spark and im getting fuel im pretty sure. I had a couple people who consider themselves mechanics helping me out and they both think that it jumped time. is that possible? i wasnt rodding on it at all, i just bought the car today, the last thing i wanted to do was break it doing somehting stupid...Is there a cheap way to check and see what the problem is, or a relay to replace?

The timing belt probably broke. You can check it by looking inside the oil filler cap with a light. If it's broke you won't see the valve train moving when it is turning over.

Timing belt could of just jumped a couple of teeth, I've seen that happen before. It need's a new belt.

Well spent the last couple days changing the timing belt and the water pump, had to take it apart twice cuz i broke the gasket the first time argh...anyways, its all good now, but when i was goin bout 60 down the freeway and was almost coasting when it started chugging, i gave it some gas and it just chugged worse, so i put it into 4th and it was all good but it did this a few times. does this just mean i need to adjust the timing belt?

Some times it takes the engine computer a few miles to re-program itself after work has been done. This is all normal and I don't think you have a problem if it only did it once or twice.

The timing belt shoudl need any "adjusting". As long as it's set at the marks your good to go. If the timing belt was off a tooth it would run poorly all the time. If the problem continues, sounds like you need a new O2 sensor.