anyone within 500 miles of new orleans have a used low mileage escort sohc engine for sale? my car is 1999 lx sedan.

Try http://www.feoa.net for sale section

Try http://www.car-part.com for junkyards
eBay, Craigslist, etc.

IOM, if you dropped a valve seat and your engine is runied, go for a rebuilt with the improved valve seats. If you get a used engine, it might do the same thing.