We had considered doing the Taurus swap also but we had conflicting reports about what did and did not work. The price via Car-Part was $300 or so for the Taurus vs the Escape motor and we found that it was a must that head or heads had to be removed as well as the sensor and cover issues and so with the expense and time of doing the head removal and other changes it would probably be easier, faster and around the same price (good head gasket kit with bolts is not cheap) to just get the Escape engine and throw it in. That way the engine is all set, no worries about sensors or head gaskets etc. We also thought it would be able to fit pulling the motor and trans together out the top. We do have a lift so we could have dropped the whole cradle out the bottom but if motor and trans could come out the top it always is easier. We ended up finding and fixing problem with existing motor so did not end up pulling this one but we have a relative that may buy another with known bad motor and I would love to hear what you end up finding in the end - and how it worked out doing the entire Taurus to Escape swap. It would be great to get a first hand tale by someone that actually did this swap for real and what it actually involved - all of it. If you can let us know what you found and how it worked out it would be appreciated.