97 Escort problems

Well I have this escort that was given to me from my parents to do whatever. When I went to crank it up it just sat there. I made sure I replace the battery and cables to it since it has been sitting there for over a year in the same spot. Since I've done that it still wont start. I checked the fuel pump switch and had to engage it(turn it on i mean). I've just changed the oil in the car,replace the oil filter etc. Since I've done that it still wont crank. A friend of mine said it might be a vapor lock in the gas tank which I didnt know what he was talking about. Am I missing something here or what? Lmk and Thanks. It's a 97 ford escort and has 99,000 miles on it aswell.

Forget about the vapor lock thing. Do you mean the starter won't turn or the starter turns and the engine doesn't start?

the starter turns but the engine wont start.

Are you sure there's plenty of gas in the tank?

Yea it has a full tank. trust me I'm not stupid lol.

I think I'd check to see that the timing belt is not broke.

So, you have fresh gas, right? How about pulling the crankcase return breather line into the air snorkel and spray some gas or starter fluid into it, then put the line back in to start it. If that line instead goes to the air filter box, then pull a vac line close to the intake and spray into there, reconnect line and start. I suggest that way because removing the snorkel either messes up the air measurement or you have to run it with the filter off. Not so good.