I replaced my original OEM fuel pump when it stopped working with an Airtex Pump. My fuel Filter was pretty well plugged up. It in all probability was the excessive back pressure that killed it. Anyway, A professional mechanic installed the first Airtex pump that lasted 6 months, the second one, installed by the same mechanic lasted 6 months, the third one, again installed by the same mechanic lasted 22 months. A new Fuel filter was installed every time and changed every 6 months, religiously. Now, here is the funny thing, this same Truck, with the same Tank, with the new AC Delco pump in it lasted over 4 years and was stilll going strong. Again, I changed the fuel filter every 6 months. So if my Plastic Tank had rust in it, which I doubt, the AC Delco Pump didn't seem to have any issues with it.
The poor quality of the Airtex pumps was not just because it stopped pumping fuel. In fact, only one of the three actually stopped pumping fuel. They also had issues with the Gas Gage sending unit causing the fuel gage to stop working, loose connections and fittings inside the fuel tank that caused internal leaks, the check valve allowed all the fuel to drain back causing long cranking time on start up, and one time, the bearings went bad and the pump was screaming so loud that you could not hear the engine noise at idle.
Cleaning the tank and removing the dirt, rust etc. is always a must, but if you want to risk putting an Airtex Piece of Crap Pump in your vehicle, in the end it is your vehicle, do what you wish, but don't say you weren't warned.