解:∵四边形$ABCD $是矩形,
∴$∠A=∠ B = 90°,$$AD = BC,$$AB = CD,$
∵$EF⊥ CE,$
∴$∠ CEF = 90°,$
∴$∠AEF+∠ BEC=∠AEF+∠AFE = 90°,$
∴$∠ BEC=∠AFE,$
∵$EF = CE,$
∴$△AEF≌△ BCE(\mathrm {AAS}),$
∴$AE = BC,$
∴$AB = AE + BE = BC + 2,$
∵矩形$ABCD $的周长为$ 16,$
∴$AB + BC + CD + AD = 16,$
∴$AB + BC = 8,$
∴$BC + BC + 2 = 8,$
∴$BC = 3.$