Water pump question

[Dino]

With the water pump removed it's easy to spin it by hand but once installed on the housing I cannot turn it by hand. Is that normal? I know there's a spring on the pump but I don't recall how much pressure there should be on it.

[mopar0166]

no , you should be able to spin the water pump once installed minus belts

[John_Kunkel]

Some water pump housings are incompatible with certain pumps, rotor-to-housing interference. (8-vane pump in a 6-vane housing)

[Dino]

This is the original pump. I removed it last summer.  Dammit I'm supposed to paint the engine this Saturday.   

I'm confused. I just checked again and now it spins. I hear a bit of screeching though as if the vanes are touching the housing but it's not a lot.

[cdr]

This is the original pump. I removed it last summer.  Dammit I'm supposed to paint the engine this Saturday.    

I'm confused. I just checked again and now it spins. I hear a bit of screeching though as if the vanes are touching the housing but it's not a lot.

not all gasket brands are the same thickness. also check for rust build up inside the housing.

[Dino]

It may be the gasket yeah, I didn't think of that. There's no rust inside, I cleaned it all up when I took it apart. I do recall one or two vanes having a bit of a shiny tip. I could grind the very tip of the vanes but I don't want to throw the whole thing out of balance either. Maybe I should grind the inside of the housing a bit?   

[ws23rt]

Try putting four washers of gasket thickness on to see if that is really the issue.

I find it hard to believe the surfaces are warped enough as to cause your question but trying this might put it to rest.

[Dino]

I guess the gasket was too thin. I added another one and that solved it.