As my name suggests, I am an idiot.
Hello. I have a 1987 mercedes 300d. 603. It WAS perfect. About 3 weeks ago, on a rain slicked road, I did a very minor, accidental "burnout", over revved, and the fan porcupined the engine compartment. looked like a bomb went off. Hoses sliced. hood dented. radiator shot. KABOOM! At the time it happened, I didn't realize. It was raining a lot. The interior is so quiet. I thought I had run over a stick or rock etc. To make a long story short... I ran it, without coolant for about 20 minutes. Temp needle pegged, aux fan on. I ran the heater, no heat. I knew I was F-ed. The motor starts and runs excellent. no smoke. No obvious signs of any damage.
On to my question. What kind of tests can I run, to make sure I am not polishing a turd? Would I be fixing and spending money on a car that is effectively worthless? I am an excellent mechanic, just a bad driver. thank you in advance for any help you may provide.