Firstly, thanks in advance for any assistance you guys provide.
The scenario: due to family commitments, Covid-19, and general apathy, my V8 67 Mustang has been sitting in the garage for 12 months without being turned over.
Last week I decided to give it a crank, checked the oil (was okay), the transmission fluid (was okay), the P/S fluid (was empty as usual – it leaks a bit so no big deal there).
So, attempted to start it but it blew a shitload of black smoke – enough to fill the garage and the entire backyard! Kept trying but no go.
I figured the battery hasn’t enough charge to crank it, then realised I didn’t check the water level – FU-K! Had a look and it was EMPTY! So filled it up and haven’t touched the car since. (Been considering giving the NRMA a call to see if they can jump start it, but thought running it past you lot – 'the Brains Trust' – is probably a better first option.)
So, the two questions are:
1. how long can an engine run without water before it’s damaged? Admittedly, it only got slightly warm from the attempted cranking.
2. Since the radiator and hoses aren't leaking, where did the water/coolant go?! (It’s kept me awake at night thinking the seals are gone and there’s a water/oil mix happening.)
Also, it’s probably a fair bet the water-pump membrane is shot.
The provenance of the engine is unknown – it’s the original one, but don’t know if it has ever been rebuilt.
Supplementary question:
• Is an engine rebuild likely needed, and if so, does anyone know a trusted business in Western Sydney?
I hear the sound of my bank balance going down the drain …