Maybe he's just trying to play a mental game on his poor Escort to get it to run like a Cummins. I did something similar with my d-max powered service truck. It was continiously leaving me on the side of the road, blowing up, breaking down, oozing various fluids from places that "just ain't right!".
I stuck a #9 emblem (Kasey Kahne for thouse of you who aren't nascar fans) on the back of the service bed and LOW AND BEHOLD!!!. . The P. O. S. hasn't left me stranded since... . Its limped home and to the dealership several times... . but I haven't had to calll the wrecker guy since!!!. .
I better go find some wood to knock on... . QUICK!!!