i wouldnt be surprised if it was just the starter motor getting too hot.. done it on every escort ive owned..you checked that?..my current car was having the same bother not long back and all i did was adjust the mixture very slightly and adjust the ignition timing using the correct procedure..car runs sound now.(or as good as possible till i get it done by a pro)..i done this on the advice of Karlos G..so if i offer any advice it is do what he says before you try anything else..post up how you get on...
on a side note regarding the breather pipe from the bottom of the metering head,mine is blocked up..the last time it was set up they disconnected the amal valve cos it was fubar..the actuator hose just goes in a loop and connects back on itself...when i get a new amal valve is it just a case of plugging the wire in and the three pipes to it..from metering head and actuator and rocker cover?? or will i need to adjust other stuff to compensate? thanks