96 legacy replaced head gaskets heads were resurfaced new intake and exhaustgaskets. put it back together and it would not start. took it to local garage they replaced coil wires and plugs only cost 400. well they did get it started but it barely runs surely can noy drive .timing has been checked about 10 times . if i were a betting man that would be my guess. any help appreciated.

Coil wires and plugs were $400?  That's kind of steep.

 

Your sure the timing is correct?  Post pictures of the timing marks would be a good place to start.

You might try checking the cam bolts.  Make sure you seated the cams in the correct position, and that you torqued down your cam bolts.

 

I would also check the  crank sprocket.  check that you are indeed using the timing mark on the very back of the sprocket and not the one up front of the sprocket.

 

Did you have the intake off the top of the engine?     Check the "crank sensor"  that it is connected.

Oh, check the crank sprocket for damage.  Mine ran like that, but the crank sprocket was damaged.  Replaced and problem solved.

any codes set? sometimes it's helpful to post the actual DTC numbers here.

Did you use the little hash marks to do the timing? Or did you use the arrows? Though if the arrows were used I don't believe it would start at all so that might not be it but using the arrows has certainly happened at least a few times in other posts.

Oh, check the crank sprocket for damage. Mine ran like that, but the crank sprocket was damaged. Replaced and problem solved.

X2

Broken reluctor tab on the crank sprocket will cause problems just like this. Make sure all 6 tabs are on the outer edge of the sprocket.

update?  Figure it out?