Timimg or cat converter problem?

I bought a 92 gran am 2.3 quad single cam. It runs but it misses, it spits back(missfires), dies when put in gear.I put new timing chain on. The timing marks were correct position when I took the chain off and put the new one on. It didn't change a bit. I started it and let it miss spit and gurrgle for about 16 minutes the other night and the cat was glowing red! I jumped the A - B terminals to retrieve the codes but all it did was blink once then twice (diagnostic mode). Should I let it blink more than 5 or six times? I never got anything out but the one code? Could it be a partially plugged cat? Or a problem with the coil? Any suggestions will help. I am getting ready to make a flower pot out of it so hurry. Also , the car sat for two years. Would the gas in the tank cause this much trouble?