Im trying to determine the engine failure on my escort and am now looking for a cause to a symptom. Currently Ive removed the timing belt with the notch on the cam gear at top and the crank gear at top or what appears to be top. At any rate will a pistion hit a valve apon spinning the crank because when the 1 and 4 piston are at tdc its like there is a hard spot to continue spinning the crank. Any ideas what this stiff or hard spot is as it did this with the timing belt installed. Is it possible to have jumped a tooth? There was about a 1/2 inch play in the belt tension oppisite of the idler pully. This belt had approx 30,000 mi on it. thanks jim

 

From what I know about these engines (a bunch), most likely you already have a major valve problem, which has made its presence known by the 'hard to turn over' problem.
These engines usually went something like this: a lot of wear in the valves finally got to a breaking point, and something stuck or let go, which of course led to valve-piston contact, which has probably bent a rod, and voila, a spinning problem has occured.
Not to sound cavalier about it, but at this point, if you wish to save the car, your best bet is to yank the engine and dismantle it. This way, you can pinpoint the valve problem (which has probably ruined the head, block, pistons, et al) and see what's happend in the block. It the piston(s) are OK (and I mean only if really untouched), you can at least just stop at a head job.
Usually, these were a very willing and durable engine, and they are a snap to fix, without breaking your back financially.
And never should any engine with the plugs out be hard to turn over. Since this is a freewheeling enginge (which means even if the timing belt breaks), there is no way (on a properly running engine) that this kind of damage should have occured.
Was this engine ticking or knocking before it blew up?

 

It was very odd, I was coasting to a stop sign from 55mph and as i got to about 10 mph it died and wouldnt even turn over like it was froze up. Later I got it to turn over but no start. I was expecting some metal in the pan when I pulled it but nothing so with the timing belt off I will pull the head. Im kinda just doing some fact finding to find the cause but would agree an engine pull would be the final result. I guess the head inspection will tell the rest of the story. Is there any special precaution in pulling the head other than removing coolant? thanks jim

 

Pulled the head and found what looks like a dropped valve seat with top of piston beat up but cylinder wall looks surprisingly fine. About a 450.00 dollar repair the way it looks . Not sure if this car is worth the investment.
jim

 

You might consider just turning the head in for a replacement; if you wish, I used to live right next to a place that advertises on the internet, and does pretty good quality work. Just order a replacment, and drop the old one in a box, postage prepaid.
Might be better to fix it. Or not. Your call.
And it warms my heart to know that I got one right. Now, if I could only fix my magic wand at work...

 

Nice job Mark !
It's been a couple years since I got one right and my hat didn't fit for a month.