[denisond3]

Unless you replaced the plugs in the last 10k to 20k miles, they would be the first thing I would change. Next the plug wires, if they are more than 6 or 7 years old. After that I would be looking for vacuum leaks, a lot of crud built up behind the edges of the throttle valve, or a mass air flow sensor that had some cobwebs or dead insects stuck to it.
If you havent tried changing the spark plugs on a Single Overhead Cam Escort before, the #1 plug is hard to reach. I used a 5/8" deep socket with the 3/8" drive in it, and a 10" 3/8" extension that has a special curvature at the square end, which I turn with my 3/8" ratchet. Its called a 'wobble extension' I think, and allows up to 15 degrees of mis-alignment between the socket and the extension. Makes the job very easy. Dont over-tighten spark plugs, I think they only take about 12-15 ft-lbs of torque.

Hopefully the car isnt losing coolant little by little?