I know exactly why you want to replace them...they are hazed over due to the plastic Ford used was the wrong kind, and it has corroded. easy fix. there are two ways to fix this problem depending on how bad off your headlamps are.
1) go to auto parts store and get meguires plastix cleaner and polish, it is in a black bottle...i believe. That stuff should take care of it if it is not too bad.
2) go to almost any local hardware store and get a heat gun (high temperature) use this and evenly spread the heat over the lens of the headlamp. Heat until the lens looks glossy over the entire surface. This is actually menting the plastic on one side and bonding it back together while the other side of the lens stays hard acting like a a wall keeping the melted plastic in place.
There are 4 screws located under the rubber on the edges of the headlight. These have to be removed in order to get the headlight out.
1997 escort tranny's are a breed of their own you must replace it with a 1997 transmission.
You replace the bulb the same as a 1998, which is answered further down the page.
poo
where the headlight's adjustments screws for a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire are located
There are two metal clips behind the each headlight. Pull these upward, and the entire headlight will come out very easily. To replace the bulb, do so without touching the glass parts of the halogen bulb,and replace the headlight. Secure with the two clips. See, it was easy.
there are actually no screws. pop the hood and look for the plastic tabs above the headlight...one on each side of the headlight. pull them straight up and voila'.
Begin by removing the wiring harness from the back of your 1997 Pontiac Bonneville headlight. Remove the headlight assembly retaining bolts. Reverse the process to install your new headlight.
It will cost approximately $450 to replace the clutch in your 1997 Ford Escort. The clutch will cost approximately $200 and require four hours of labor to install.
You pop the hood take and reach behind the headlight and pull off the bulb cover then pull the bulb out and put the new one in.
Ford escort horns are usually located behind the bumper.
You can view the 1997 Ford Explorer owners manual online at : www . motorcraft service . com ( no spaces ) Click on Owner Guides ( the instructions , with drawings , for changing a headlight bulb are on page 211 )