1987 Ford Escord - Clean - Diesel

1987 Ford Escort

***Update - Autocheck could not pull a report. No idea why. The VIN is correct on the title, dash plate, door tag, insurance card, registration, etc.. I do have the full shop manuals that will be sold with the car. This includes the electrical/vacuum and diesel supplements***
This is the absolute cleanest escort diesel you'll find.If you've been looking for a car like this you know just what it is.
I have owned this for about 4 or so years and it has been my daily driver a good chunk of the time. It currently has 162xxx miles on it.
I rebuilt the engine (full valve job, everything) and installed a brand new (not rebuilt) injection pump about 2 years/30k miles ago (along with new timing belts for the cam and injection pump) and this vehicle start and runs fantastically. Turn the key and the glow plugs heat quickly (about 3-5 seconds) and at the first click of the key the motor fires up warm or cold. The injection pump/vacuum pump is set up correctly so that the engine idles high until it reaches operating temp then settles down to a nice idle (the idle also rises when the AC compressor is engaged). 5 speed manual works well and when the engine was rebuilt the clutch had about 70% life left.
There is an electronic (manually controlled) cooling fan installed in addition to the factory fan. I did this as I just didn't like that the factory fan is calibrated to wait until 230* to come on. I like to keep things cooler. Currently set up with a 180* thermostat and cools excellently. Made it through multiple AZ summers with the AC cranking. Made drives from NM to CA and from CA to AZ without any issues.
The car accelerates and brakes smoothly and doesn't noticeably pull to either side. The power brakes work as well as the power steering. Front control arms have been replaced recently (last 20k or so) and the steering and suspension both feel good and stable.
On the inside the heater, AC (converted to r134), radio, all factory gauges work great. The upholstery and carpet is in excellent condition for its age. There are flaws here and there, but overall it is super clean inside, especially for the all original, un-restored condition. (Note: the seats/upholstery have not been shampooed or cleaned. Just vacuumed, so I'm sure they could be even cleaner if they were shampooed/cleaned).The headliner is perfect as well. The data center above the rear view mirror works well and keeps track of time, date, and elapsed time. The windshield was replaced about 2 years ago and is in excellent condition. Coin organizers on the shift console and in the glove box.
On the outside the original oxford white paint is in incredible condition for being all original. There are numerous rock chips along the front of the hood that have been touched up over the years (see closeup of hood). The original paint cleans up to a mirror finish. The spoiler on the rear is off of a time period correct Escort GT and has been prepped and painted oxford white to match.
The tires are new and have less than 10k miles on them.
I have run 2 stroke in every tank along with the diesel fuel to compensate for the lack of lubrication for old mechanical pumps in modern ULSD fuels. Oil has always been Delvac 1300 and Wix filters used for the full flow and bypass (this motor was optioned with the water to oil heat exchanger and the dual oil filters. The oil capacity is a little under 2 full gallons and the motor has good oil pressure.
This car was originally ordered by an employee of the FOMOCO for his aunt who drove it until her later years. She eventually stopped driving and he (Ford Diesel Tech) took over the vehicle and maintained it until I bought it. As a result of the elderly driver there was one unsightly dent/scratch along the rear passenger fender that has been repaired (see photo). Car looks brand new from 5 feet away. Door seals, door jambs, and everything are clean. The car has been registered in TX, NM, CA, and AZ. As such, there are no rust issues whatsoever and the original exhaust is still intact and in great condition.
It passes AZ emissions without any issues whatsoever and has an opacity of around 9-10% when being run through the test. For what it's worth, there's a spare AC (new) compressor and evaporator included in the sale with it. Just extra parts I received from the prior owner.
The good:SUPER clean. Rebuilt motor and new injection pump.Starts, runs, and drives perfectly.Steers and brakes perfectly.Interior is super clean and nice.Everything inside the car works. (dome lights, dash lights, gauges, AC, power mirrors, etc.)Should be a good fuel efficient cruiser for the next owner for quite some time. I generally average 42mpg around town with modest driving. It's a slow car by nature and I've always treated it as such. Cruising on the highway with the AC off around 55 I can get over 50 MPG out of it.
The bad:There is a tear in the back side of the driver seat (see photo).The engine does leak oil from the drain plug (needs washer changed on next oil change - due for oil in 2200 miles). There also appears to be some leakage from up near the oil cooler, can't quite tell as I do not have a lift at home to really get under it. I generally go about 4 tanks (1500 or so miles) before adding about 1/2 a quart.
That's about all I've got. It's a fantastic daily driver in great condition overall. Drives superbly for it's age and is highly economical (even putting a set of 4 Falken tires on it is under $300 out the door). Cruises 75-80 on the highway no problem, though I chose to cruise around 65-70 for better economy. If you've been looking for a diesel escort, don't miss out on this one. I looked for 2 years prior to buying and picked this one because it was SO clean. And now that it has a rebuilt motor and new injection pump this car is good to go for another life cycle. It was the last year they were made so it is as new as you can get.
Also, I have found that parts availability for the motor is excellent and Rock Auto carries everything needed even for a full rebuild as this motor is very common still in Japan/Australia. I never planned on selling this, but with 7 cars and a full time job it's time to thin out the herd so I can focus on family and work. I've still never seen another escort this clean let alone the diesel.
If you have any questions just send me a message and I'll do my best to answer anything. I'm familiar with buying and selling vehicles long distance and the shipping process, etc. a $500 nonrefundable deposit is due within 24 hours and the balance within 7 days. I have the signed, clean AZ title ready to submit to the shipping company (or you personally if you're a local buyer). And of course, as with all used vehicle sales there's no warranty on this vehicle, expressed or implied and all sales are final.

• Condition: Used
• Make: Ford
• Model: Escort
• Type: Hatchback
• Trim: GL
• Year: 1987
• Mileage: 162,500
• VIN: 1FABP25H5HT114378
• Color: Oxford White
• Engine size: 2.0 MFI Diesel
• Number of cylinders: 4
• Power options: Air Conditioning
• Fuel: Diesel
• Transmission: MTX-3 5 Speed Manual
• Drive type: FWD
• Interior color: Blue
• Options: Cassette Player
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!