FE3 were pretty good engines, the single cam ones were prone to cracking heads.
I've seen one twin cam crack the oil gallery above the exhaust.
Zetecs seem pretty good too, the problem would be all the parts you need to fit one into an Escort. Water rails, sump etc.
How about a BP out of a 1.8 MX5?
There is also a later FS 626 engine that was pretty good too, I'm not sure what gearbox would work with it though