At 03:39 PM 11/6/2009, Richard Koerner wrote...
>Filled empty coolant tank with water.  Started engine.  Immediately it
>sucked out all the water I added.  So I added more.  Stabilized.  Shut
>off engine.  Added water to overflow tank.  Re-started engine, revved
>it over 2000, sucked more coolant into engine, then when idle returns
>to 850, coolant rises to top.
>
>All seems normal now.  Did I do any permanent damage?

You didn't say whether you let the engine cool. Never put coolant in a
hot engine which has gone dry. The thermal shock can cause castings
(heads, cylinders, jackets) to crack.