Would this be alright to buff off the rust and install? I ordered one online and this is what came. I noticed it was a tad different from the original but that's also the part number ford calls for.

 

Any idea what brand it is? Where did you buy it?

I'd use a light abrasive like a Scotch Brite pad to remove the existing surface rust, make sure the bearing is tight and using the proper water pump sealant install it without too much concern.

Its been sitting around somewhere damp for a while but I don't see anything suggesting its bound for premature failure.

 

It was sold by amazon. It's a motorcraft pw423. I was thinking the same with the scotch brite. I got the motor pulled out and replacing just about everything and don't want to have to do it again in a short while.

 

Since its from Amazon, maybe you have free returns?

if so, drop it off, send it back, and try again is what I'd do just to be safe.

SPP

 

There's no guarantee another one from the same seller or site would be any different---being honest but polite there's no real issue with the pump as we're seeing in this photo. I guess one could go through all the hassle of returning it but given the lost time worth it? I say its not!

 

Yeah the replacement was in the same condition. I'll buff it off and install. The downtime is no issue as the heads are at the machine shop getting a valve job.