1.3 escorts had a coil pack.... My mate had a jalopy estate that we used ram into our old sierras to push start! Happy memories of fords in the banger years eh!

Anyway back to your problem. Most likely shitted up carb. Could be faulty edis meaning your ignition curve is shite? Check it with a timing gun.....

Also you done a compression check?
Have you serviced it? Plugs and air filter?

Good luck.....

Final radical solution could be change the engine to a 1.6 cvh? Find one on fleebay cheaper than a new webber carb probably.....or a 1.4 cvh....they are probably cheaper.