Ok, so I have a '98 Escort that has the 2.0L SPI (CVH) engine that blew the head gasket. I know the head on this engine is FUBAR'd and I need a knew head. Knowing the problems that are common to this head such as dropped valve seats I looked around to see if I could find a better replacement and I came across the EngineQuest replacement head for '00-'03 Focus (CH121N).EngineQuest (EQ®) Introduces New Aluminum Cylinder Head For 2000-2003 Ford Focus | PRLog
This is a NEW, redesigned, casting that fixes the flaws of the OE casting so I was wondering if this head could be used on the older engines in the Escorts. I called the company but the salesman was just a salesman with no automotive knowledge and couldn't tell me if it would work.
Looking at a photo, it looks like the head would bolt directly on but the cam position sensor may be in a different location on the head. I was wondering if I could just lengthen the wires to the sensor or would I have to change timing sprockets, cams or anything else. If it will work I would even consider changing the complete engine assembly to the Focus engine. Has anyone tried this yet?

 

For anyone looking to try this, I believe it will work if you change the intake manifold and intake manifold runner butterfly valve assembly. The only major change i can find is the Escort head uses 8 bolts and the Focus head uses 7 bolts and it is not the same pattern. The only other issue is the timing cover, the Focus is not set up for the same cover as the Escort and I dont think you can use the one for the Focus on the Escort without some mods but not sure. You can reuse the Escort cover as the lower bolts go into the waterpump and they will hold it on to keep fingers and such out of the belt, there is just no place for the upper bolts.
The new head arrived last week and comes bare so you will have to reuse your old camshaft, valves, springs, retainers and locks as weel as rocker arms. the head will also have to have the valves from your old head lapped in and seated to the new head (valve job from your local macine shop).My engine block is at the machine shop being decked and should be back next week and I will start putting it back together. If i find any other issues I will post them for you.
One other piece of info I found was that the Ford factory supposedly changed the valve seats in 2002 to improve the durability, I can not vouch for this but if true you could get everything to do this swap from a 02 or newer Focus from a salvage yard such as a u-pull-it for fairly cheap. If you go this way make sure to have the head resurfaced and checked for cracks before you install it. Also check the engine block deck surface for warpage, that is what caused my problem to start with.