Ford Repair: 1996 Ford Taurus Engine, ford taurus gl, valve cover gasket

Question
Hello Erik! I have a 1996 Ford Taurus GL with a V6 3.0L Vulcan engine. This car is an automatic.
I will make my story as short as I can; I appreciate this by the way..
I was driving my taurus after a radiator flush. The mechanic failed to tell me that he had broken the seal ring around the water resevior; as I drove I noticed smoke/steam. Stopped the car and realized that I was steaming like a huge pot of boiling water from the tank. I didn't know how much time I would have to get from that point to my home, so I made an honest attempt.
After a few miles near a filling station, the car "sputtered" and died. I looked in the tank and it was empty. I walked to the gas station and bought 2 gals. of water. Waited for the engine to cool, and filled it until full again. Started right up no problem. Drove about another 13-15 miles going uphill (In Tennessee) on the interstate; bumper to bumper; about 50mph. The engine started to clank and there was little to no power.. As I pulled to the emergency lane the engine died once again this time much more louder and quicker than before. I did my routine and opened the hood.. There was smoke coming from the valve cover gasket near the exhaust manifold. I started to get worried and thought that something might catch fire.. So I started filling it up with water again.. This time she threw it back at me and was hissing and steaming like she was still running. I waited nearly 20 minutes before she started accepting the water like she should. I sat there another 20 minutes giving it time to really cool off. Went to start it and there was nothing.. No starter click or anything. I called and had her towed home.
Since I have had it towed she will attempt to start (turn over), but with no success. It sounds like the starter is dragging a little like it is harder for it to turn the engine. If you press the accelerator while starting it will give a little backfire.. More like a small popping noise from the exhaust. This car has 158,000 miles and maybe that was the last straw? What are the most common damages to an engine that is run without water? What would you look at first? Would your answer be worth the repair or should I replace the engine? By the way- After the first time; my heater stopped working, I think being without water made the heater core go out. Thank You for your time, have a great day. Thanks.

Answer
Hello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
I would seriously suggest that you get a lawyer and contatc the garage for a replacement engine at their cost. The failure of the mechanic caused the engine to overheat/warp and then sieze.
Erik