water pump

I wad a leaking water pump seal on my 92 fullsize 351, and when I pulled it off, I noticed some grease or lubricant or some tri colored mess in a couple of ports on the pump. I am confused on this because the ports were sealed by a gasket and backing plate. What is it for, and will it be ok if I put it back together with that stuff cleaned out.

That goop you found in the ports is contaminants/sludge/etc. that collects in the cooling system. It needs a good flush.

Distilled Drinking water is the only NON-ethyl-glycol that goes in your system. Tap water contains A LOT of contanimants (sp?) that boil out when your engine is running at those 230 Temps. (That is why you have to use water that has already been distilled, to prevent distilling the water as you go down the road.)

It costs about a dollar a gallon, but if you do it religiously, you won't see that type of build-up again.

(Yes, I get talked about for buying my truck bottled water...but I don't hear them when the 5.8 is screaming.)