What type of pulley/belt system do you have?  Rotation of the pump is contingent on the pulley system.  If you have the V-belt system, you need the "standard" rotation pump.  If you have the serpentine belt setup off the '88 where the smooth back of the belt runs the water pump, you need the "reverse" rotation.

TKOPerformance wrote:

As stated, if you have a serpentine belt you need a reverse rotation pump.  If you have v-belts you need a standard rotation pump. 

Not necessarily true, Tom.  The late 80s CV, TC, etc. used a "Standard" output 5.0 with two six-groove serpentine belts and a normal (CW as you looked at it) water pump.  The single serp setup on the HO used the CCW pump that drove off of the back of the belt.

BB1

TKOPerformance wrote:

That pump doesn't look like any 5.0 water pump I've ever seen.  The one Nos681 posted in what it should look like.

Both garkets are correct.  The first is the water pump to timing cover gasket, the second is the water pump to back cover plate gasket.  That third gassket is for something else.  I'm betting its for a truck application since it lists Cleavland and Modified engines as well as Windsors.  I can tell you from swapping a 351M for a 351W in a mid '80s Bronco all of the accessory drive parts bolted up without issue, and the acessories ran v-belts. 

As stated, if you have a serpentine belt you need a reverse rotation pump.  If you have v-belts you need a standard rotation pump. 

Best I can guess, it's from the F150 / Bronco which ran up to 1985.  Those were 5.0 small block fords too.  Not surprising it would fit.  I'm not sure if having no internal pathways makes the flow more or less.  Whatever direction it was going was the right way b/c the engine was cooling before the valve issue.  I was trying to get more information in the event I had to replace it.   I ordered the correct gasket and new hardware.  It's going back the way it was for right now.