Replaced the belt on the PS semd to stop, but than loud noise, tried to trace but stopped before I could get the stethoscope on all components. It is a 79 RG with a 69 340. Just seems to make belt noise. I do not want the water pump to come apart, the noise was not from the PS pump. Was making the noise just driving straight. Annoying to be sure. Is the sons 4 x 4 so want to lead him in the direction, but need a bit of help myself.

look at your damper, i've seen the outer ring go back against the timing cover . that could be the scraping sound. i saw a post a while back about a water pump eating into the timing cover on a small block also.

Along those same lines, check the shield on the back of the damper that covers front seal. I've had one come loose before and make a heck of a racket.