How to clean up the water pump/manifold hose fittings...
 

Before I put brand spanking new radiator and heater core hoses in my truck I'd like to clean up the water ports on the manifold, and the water pump. They're rusted and corroted as hell, and would basically make these new hoses worthless.

Since the connections are dry now I thought I'd just pull out the dremel and see if I can clean them up. Any better ideas? It looks like the connections for the heater core on the manifold and the water pump can be replaced with some new brass pressure fittings. Should I just yank them and replace vs. trying to clean them up? There's tons of junk on the outside and in the opening...

If it was me I would go ahead a change them. They only cost a couple of bucks and you will have the peace of mind that they want leak. just my 2 cents

You'd be ahead to change them, but if you want to clean them up, I've used a wire wheel on a drill to remove all the rust and corrosion from the outsides of the fittings, and a die grinder with a roll pin and a piece of emery cloth to clean up the inside.

Damn it I WANT them to leak! LOL just kidding.

Seriously, I'll probably do what Ol' Buck suggested on the lower radiator hose fitting on the water pump, but I'll replace the one on the manifold and on the top of the pump to the heater core.

I should just be able to get these at freaking Home Depot and some thread compound right? Looks pretty easy, unless they're special fittings...