Radiator question

williaml said
UPDATE
I took the Dart out for a good long drive. I changed the thermostat to a 160 the car is running a little cooler. After the long drive here are some of the numbers 174 at the thermostat housing, 182 at the top of the radiator and 126 at the bottom rad housing. The gauge responded by running at the very top of normal range not going into the extreme hot range if you know what the gauge looks like in a 65 Dart. I'm going to replace the water pump to a 8 blade impeller from the 6 impeller in there now. I have a question regarding the water pump. I'm able to grab the fan and turn the fan clockwise with little effort, however it is very difficult to turn fan counterclockwise. Is that the sign of a bad water pump? Once I have the water pump off I will back flush with a hose. Next will be recording the radiator if the water pump doesn't do the trick.

Thanks to all who reads and responds.

I could have swore you said the engine was rebuilt (assuming a new thermostat went in then)
So now I have to wonder if ALL that time that two different owners of that engine had overheating issues, but neither of you ever changed the thermostat and even put it back in after a rebuild???

Anyway,
If the belt is on while you are turning the water pump it turns a lot easier one way than the other due to the drag of the belt in the pulley and other pulleys involved.
If no belt and it's hard to turn, then yes it's a bad water pump.