Camshaft timing marks?

See diagram

Warning may have bent valves also good time to hang a water pump on it

HI
wow that is an excellent question and you are right. The eng is always at tdc when number 1 piston is up. BUT the valves are not but when the valves are both closed this makes compression. The easiest way is remove the number one plug put your finger at the hole bump the eng over when the pressure blows your finger away from the hole you are on comp. Now by hand or wrench turn eng until timeing marks align on cam and crank. You are exactly on tdc comp stroke.

Good luck billymac

Click @ the link below should have all you are looking for
https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2001/make/ford/model/escort/2001_ford_escort_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm

1.Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove spark plugs. Raise and support vehicle. Remove catalytic converter. Remove splash shield. Rotate crankshaft to TDC of No. 1 cylinder. Install TDC Timing Peg (T97P-6000-A) in hole at lower right of block. See Fig. 1 .

Rotate crankshaft clockwise against timing peg. See Fig. 2 . Lower vehicle.

2.Drain cooling system. Loosen water pump pulley bolts. Remove accessory drive belt. Remove drive belt idler pulley from generator mounting bracket. Remove bolts and position A/C compressor out of the way. Remove water pump pulley.
3.. Disconnect wiring connector at Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) solenoid. Disconnect crankcase ventilation hose from fitting on valve cover. Position accelerator and speed control cables aside. Disconnect spark plug wires from spark plug wire brackets on valve covers. Remove bolt, nut and front support isolator damper. Remove upper timing belt cover. Remove valve cover bolts in a diagonal pattern working inward. Remove valve cover and gasket.
4.Raise and support vehicle. Remove center timing belt cover. Remove crankshaft pulley. Remove lower timing belt cover. Use Camshaft Alignment Timing Tool (T94P-6256-CH) to align camshafts. Install tool in slots on camshafts at rear of engine. See Fig. 3 .

5.Loosen timing belt tensioning pulley bolt. Disconnect tensioner tab from timing cover back plate to relieve tension on timing belt. If reusing timing belt, mark direction of rotation before removal. Remove timing belt.
6.Remove camshaft alignment tool. Remove bolt and intake camshaft timing sprocket. Remove VCT oil plug, bolt and exhaust camshaft sprocket.
Installation

1.Ensure crankshaft pulley timing marks are aligned. Use Camshaft Alignment Timing Tool (T94P-6256-CH) to align camshafts. Install tool in slots on camshafts at rear of engine. Ensure camshafts are aligned. Install intake timing sprocket and loosely install bolt. Rotate oil control bushing one complete turn and check for binding. Position bushing with single hole in 12 o'clock position.

CAUTION:
The VCT sprocket has a rectangular tab on the backside of the sprocket which must align with the hole on the front face of the thrust bushing. Failure to align may result in poor engine performance.

2.Install NEW exhaust sprocket "O" ring. Install exhaust sprocket. Ensure tab on sprocket engages hole in oil control bushing. Loosely install sprocket bolt. Loosely install timing belt tensioner. Install timing belt. See Fig. 4 .

Engage timing belt tensioner tab into upper timing cover backplate. Using 6-mm Allen wrench, adjust timing belt tensioner until marks are aligned. See Fig. 5 .

Tighten bolt to 17-20 ft. lbs. (22-28 N.m).
NOTE: Camshaft must be held stationary with an open end wrench. DO NOT use alignment tool to hold camshaft in position, as damage to camshaft may occur.
3.Tighten intake camshaft sprocket bolt to 50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m). Tighten exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt to 36 ft. lbs. (50 N.m). Remove camshaft alignment tool and timing peg. Retighten exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt to 85-92 ft. lbs. (115-125 N.m). Install Variable Cam Timing (VCT) oil plug, if necessary.
4.Ensure second crankshaft timing mark is aligned with raised mark on oil pan. Position crankshaft just prior to TDC. Install TDC timing peg. Rotate crankshaft clockwise against peg. Ensure camshafts are aligned. If crankshaft and camshaft are misaligned, repeat procedure until alignment is correct.
5.When alignment is correct, complete installation by reversing removal procedure. When installing valve cover, clean gasket mating surfaces before installing NEW gasket. Install and tighten valve cover bolts in a diagonal pattern starting from the inside working outward. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification.

Removal (Escort & Tracer)
Disconnect negative battery cable. Place cylinder No. 1 to TDC of compression stroke. Remove accessory drive belt and tensioner. Remove timing belt cover. Raise and support vehicle. Remove right hand splash shield. Remove crankshaft pulley. Align timing marks. See Fig. 1.
Loosen timing belt tensioner. Using an 8-mm hex wrench, turn tensioner 1/4 turn counterclockwise. Insert 1/8 drill bit to lock tensioner in place. See Fig. 2. If reusing old belt, mark belt with arrow to indicate original direction of rotation. Remove timing belt.
Fig. 1: Aligning Crankshaft & Camshaft Timing Marks
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Removal (Escort & Tracer)
Disconnect negative battery cable. Place cylinder No. 1 to TDC of compression stroke. Remove accessory drive belt and tensioner. Remove timing belt cover. Raise and support vehicle. Remove right hand splash shield. Remove crankshaft pulley. Align timing marks. See Fig. 1.
Loosen timing belt tensioner. Using an 8-mm hex wrench, turn tensioner 1/4 turn counterclockwise. Insert 1/8 drill bit to lock tensioner in place. See Fig. 2. If reusing old belt, mark belt with arrow to indicate original direction of rotation. Remove timing belt.
Fig. 1: Aligning Crankshaft & Camshaft Timing Marks
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Fig. 2: Identifying Timing Belt Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Installation
Ensure timing marks are still aligned. Install timing belt in a counterclockwise direction starting at the crankshaft. If reusing old belt, ensure it is installed in original direction of rotation. Keep belt span between crankshaft and camshaft tight while installing timing belt over camshaft.
Remove drill bit and tighten tensioner bolt. Rotate crankshaft clockwise 2 revolutions. Recheck timing mark alignment. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

Fig. 2: Identifying Timing Belt Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Installation
Ensure timing marks are still aligned. Install timing belt in a counterclockwise direction starting at the crankshaft. If reusing old belt, ensure it is installed in original direction of rotation. Keep belt span between crankshaft and camshaft tight while installing timing belt over camshaft.
Remove drill bit and tighten tensioner bolt. Rotate crankshaft clockwise 2 revolutions. Recheck timing mark alignment. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure.

You need to remove the valve cover cover

Depends on the engine type really. For example, if it has the Ford 2.0L DOHC engine than there is a very good chance that there is internal damage because this is an interference designed motor. If it is the 1.8L or 1.9L then it should be fine because these are non-interference engines.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Engine †2.0L Zetec 2000 Escort
IN-VEHICLE REPAIR

Cylinder Head

Special Tool(s) Disconnect Tool †3/8 Inch Fuel Line
310-D004 (D87L-9280-A) or equivalent
Disconnect Tool †1/2 Inch Fuel Line
310-D005 (D87L-9280-B) or equivalent

Removal

Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).

WARNING: Fuel supply lines will remain pressurized for long periods of time after engine shut down. This pressure must be relieved before disconnecting any fuel lines or fuel system components.

Relieve the fuel system pressure.
Remove the engine air cleaner outlet tube.
Remove the timing belt.
Remove the vacuum hoses at the:
positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve (6A666).
Throttle body (9E926).
Intake manifold (9424).
Fuel pressure sensor.
Disconnect the fuel charging wiring (9D930) electrical connectors at main engine connector.

Disconnect the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor electrical connector.

Disconnect the fuel line.
Remove the power steering pump (3A674) and bracket as an assembly.
Remove the generator (GEN).
Remove the oil level indicator tube (6754).
Disconnect the heater hoses.
Lower the vehicle.
Disconnect the upper radiator hose (8260) from the thermostat housing water hose connection.
Remove the camshafts (6250).
Remove the ignition coil (12029) and bracket.
Remove the water thermostat housing.
Disconnect the knock sensor electrical connector.
Remove the generator bracket-to-cylinder head bolt.
Remove the bolts and the cylinder head (6049).
Remove the cylinder head gasket and discard.
Installation

WARNING: Do not smoke or carry lighted tobacco or open flame of any type when working on or near any fuel related components. Highly flammable mixtures are always present and may be ignited, resulting in possible personal injury.

CAUTION: Do not use abrasive grinding discs to remove gasket material; use only plastic manual scrapers. Do not scratch or gouge the aluminum sealing surfaces.

Clean all gasket material from the mating surfaces on the cylinder head and cylinder block. Clean out the bolt holes in the cylinder block. Inspect the cylinder head for flatness. For additional information, refer to Section 303-00.
Install a new head gasket on the cylinder block.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to install the cylinder head assembly without assistance. Installation of the cylinder head assembly requires two people or possible injury may occur.

CAUTION: The bolts are torque-to-yield and must be replaced or engine damage may occur.

Tighten the bolts in three stages in the sequence shown.
Stage 1: Tighten the bolts to 15-25 Nm (12-18 lb-ft).
Stage 2: Tighten the bolts to 35-45 Nm (26-33 lb-ft).
Stage 3: Tighten the bolts an additional 105 degrees.

Install the generator bracket-to-cylinder head bolt.
Tighten to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
Connect the knock sensor electrical connector.
Install the thermostat housing.
Install the ignition coil and bracket.
Install the camshafts.
Connect the upper radiator hose.
Raise and support the vehicle.
Install the heater hoses.
Install the generator and bracket assembly.
Install the power steering pump and bracket assembly.
Connect the fuel lines.
Connect the crankshaft sensor electrical connector.

Connect the fuel charging wiring connectors.

Connect the vacuum hoses at the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve, throttle body, intake manifold and fuel pressure sensor.
Install the engine oil level indicator tube and bolt.

Install new spark plugs.
Install the air cleaner outlet tube.
Drain the engine oil and install a new oil filter.
Fill the crankcase with Super Premium 5W30 SAE Motor Oil XO-5W30-QSP or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C158-G.
Connect the negative battery cable.
Fill and bleed the power steering system.
Fill the engine cooling system.
Charge the A/C system.
Run the engine and inspect for leaks.

Check it also at
https://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/tec_info/2000/ford/escort/2000_ford_escort_timing_belt_diagram_marks.htm

TOOLS NEEDED