if the water got into the engine from the spark plugs and got out thru the headers
would it ruin the inside of the motor?

 

How exactly did you get water into the engine via the spark plugs? Were you driving in the rain with your hood off? And when did it rain in So Cal?

Is there a problem with your car?

 

sounds like a lot of exposure to water if its spilling out of the cylinders and into the header. most likely the cylinders and everything else is rusted to hell and needs rebuilding. if possible. start it up and try it. being treated the way it has, theres
probably nothing to lose.

 

if it runs itll probably clean itself out. and it is unlikely that much water got in through the plugs unless you had the hood off.