How do I find TDC through the #1 cyl spark plug socket on a '97 Ford Escort? I have the timing belt off and have set the valves.

Timing belt is probably a tooth out, maybe slipped when intalling it.
Take it off, set the cams for TDC align the crank and reinstall it.

I would do a leakage test on the suspect cylinder and compare with a couple others.

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Has the engine been stripped down at all? If it has, the cam may be 1/2 turn off and should be realigned. Make sure no 1 cylinder is at TDC and that the valves are not moving . On a 4 cylinder you will se the valve change on cyl.4 when cyl 1 is TDC. Check that you have spark on any cylinder by fitting a spark plug and hold it to earth. Check your coil lead.

not timed right. You have to remove the plug, and insert a straw through the spark plug hole so that you can see when the piston is all the way up

If you are just replacing the belt because it's worn. Carefully remove the old belt and replace. no timing will be neccesary

cam shaft timing marks on back of cams ,two slots ,use a flat piece of metal to align .remove no1 spark plug and drop long thin screwdriver down it to bring piston just below tdc,then align cams so both cams are on the rock (valves closed) with knob on back cam aligning with pick up sensor left side between lobes.then bring piston up to tdc and fit belt.turn engine over twice with socket on bottom pulley to make sure no valves clear pistons.Remember to remove flat edge from back of cams i didnt last time and bent my home made tool

open the oil fill cap look inside (the hole in the valve cover ), is the camshaft turning? if not the cogs are stripped off the timing belt belt
note:i believe this engine is an interfearence engine. meaning when the cogs strip off the belt or it breaks, the valves can and usually do

are you sure you are not 180 out on crank..crank turns twice to 1 turn of cam/s..top dead center #1 cyl. w/ both valves shut-[compression stroke] is what you want to start. some require special alighnment tools to alighn upper to lower''...kev-mn.

piston number one at tdc,if not sure remove spark plug and put a long thin screwdriver in and carefully wind engine round with a ratchet and socket on front pulley bolt then remove rocker cover and look at valves if number 4 cylinder valves are opening the valves and the first piston are closed with the inlet and exhaust valves have gaps under them then its ok .cant remember but end of camshafts have slots on them that have to be on a horizontal axis with rear cap i think this is right for this model.

I agree, jumped timing. Check to make sure the dist is tight. Than check for tdc on the #1 cylinder. When the #1 cyl is TDC the rotor should be pointing to that wire on the cap. Take the cap off while checking. Also is easier to turn motor by hand without plugs in motor.