i have a 1966 mustang with a 289 2 barrel engine-i did not operate the car for a month-when starting the engine the other day, i noticed a pool of water(condesation)on the cement about 6 inches in dia with a much smaller circle of black soot within the water circle below the tailpipe-what causes this and how do i correct this and will i eventually damage the engine if not corrected-thanks-tom

 

THat is perfectly normal, in fact it means your engine is running good. The soot might be a sign that it was slightly flooded or ran rich for a little while. I wouldn't worry about it unless you started having more problems.

 

same opinion here. the only thing you'll damage is your cement driveway :->