when you have a belt off the water pump should it move freely or with very little force at all. it is on a 1997 cobra thanx

 

It should spin freely.

 

freely or with a lil resistance if it's new. I put a new pump in my GT and it felt 'tight' but smooth (I think it just was the new bearing) but yeah if it's tough to spin that's a prob. if it spins easy you're good. also, i would check lateral movement as well and for any odd noises