[OneMoreCarol]

I own a 1995 Escort with over 312,100 miles

On the original engine.
Original clutch, catalytic converter, exhaust system.

However, it's held together with bumper stickers.

I need to find the emergency brake cables because I have a bad habit of forgetting to release the hand brake.

My "secret" is oil changes every 3000-5000 miles, regular fuel filter changes, Marvel Mystery Oil, Sea Foam, and in all that time, only a couple of tune ups. I still get nearly 40 mpg with the wind behind me. Otherwise, 34 mpg - 38 mpg depending on load.

I hope feoa is a treasure trove for me. I'm looking for an online manual so I can get the parts numbers for the brake cables.

If you see a dark blue Escort covered with TEA Party bumper stickers racing down the Interstate, wave, it's probably me. :wink:

 

[EscorGo]

Welcome!

Mine died at 245K. The PO overheated it.
You still on the original timing belt?? I told a friend he is gambling at 85K

 

[johnjoda]

185,000

I have a 1995 with 185,000 on it. I got it about a year ago.

I have neglected it, and I am trying to give her a little more TLC.

 

[denisond3]

With a 5 speed transmission most folks use the handbrake daily; which keeps the cables from getting stiff from lack-of-use. Forgetting to release the handbrake (which my wife does sometimes) wont hurt the cables themselves, but does cause greater wear on the rear brake shoes. So replacing the rear brake shoes may be needed, but the handbrake cables might be in fine condition.
As for the part numbers; both the replacement handbrake cables and the brake shoes are made by several firms, each of which have their own part number schemes. Just knowing the year and model of your Escort, and the name of the part is what I use to buy things. If and when you get the brake shoes replaced, you might want to replace the wheel cylinders also (which actuate the brake shoes), since those parts go bad just from age, more than from use. Also it can be a good idea to replace the springs inside the brake drums in back. With that many miles the brake drums themselves might be worn enough that replacements would be a good thing. And the metal brake lines running to the back of the car should be inspected to see if they are rusty. The part where rust is likely to happen is up beside the fuel tank, where it can only be seen by someone underneath the car looking straight up.

Good Luck with your Escort....

 

[nezwick]

I own a 1995 Escort with over 312,100 miles

On the original engine.
Original clutch, catalytic converter, exhaust system.

That is awesome!

My Protege has 236xxx on it but hardly anything is original anymore. I bought it at 220xxx and everything immediately started failing soon after.

I don't have e-brake cable part numbers for you, but I will tell you they are easy to replace. The hardest part is always getting the exhaust heat shields off without snapping the rusty old bolts.

 

[zzyzzx]

I own a 1995 Escort with over 312,100 miles

On the original engine.
Original clutch, catalytic converter, exhaust system.

I'm going to assume that everything else has been replaced, at least once.