water pump gasket turning green

[1974dodgecharger]

Seems I might have a small leak somewhere that ends up on the K frame below the water pump housing area.  I noticed the other day the gasket has turned green in color, does this mean the gasket has gone bad or water pump is bad due to leak?  I went ahead and bought some superformance gaskets the whole front end kit mind as well replace em if im taking it apart.


another thing I noticed is that when the car being warmed up my temps initially spike up to 200 then drops back down to 180 for the drive. I know it used to spike up initially to 190, but not 200 then return to 180 as when thermostat is opening up.

[fy469rtse]

How old is the thermostat, could be going bad ,
Also water pumps seals usually let go suddenly after the bearings develop wear, could be a sign pumps about to go,
Most pumps have a vent hole underneath , once internal seal go's , it will gush out of there
With car not running of course , grab the fan and try to rock water pump side to side , see it you can notice any slop or movement to where there shouldn't be , usual indication of pump on the way out,

[1974dodgecharger]

thermostat is  probably 8 years old and I switched to electrical fans, but will see if I can rock the hub still with belt loosened up.

thanks fy469rtse    

[fy469rtse]

water pumps are servicable,
i rebuilt one earlier this year , look for the kit, cheap , new bearings and seal, just need the right sort of tools,
stock pumps are cheap also, dont waste your money on so called aftermarket better, check out a thread on here that disproves that

[1974dodgecharger]

copy that