[Mrmerlin]

wash the belt with hot water and dawn soap, from you post it sounds like something else besides the WP the WP if its leaking will run down the front of the engine and down the center of the pan.
Note there is one long bolt that also secures the timing cover this passes through the water pump. The bolt is to the right of the crank looking at the engine. are you sure you put all of the pump bolts in?? Are you sure the hoses that attach to the water bridge are all good, usually there is a little nub that makes a hole in the 1 inch line and the top rad hose will ger a groove from the ring the small vent tube also can get a hole from a nub and any one of the hose clamps could also be loose