The tranny was buttoned up and while waiting for the sealant to fully cure I started on the fuel tank. I had to first dremel out all the old JB Weld. Here's what that looked like.
Then I stop drilled the holes. Then I let the tank air out with an air mattress pump I had. Apparently those pumps aren't continuous duty because after about an hours or so it just stopped working. But it lasted through the braze.
I did a practice brazing run run on a flat piece of steel and that went great. This is on the peak of a ridge in the tank and getting the flux/braze to flow was difficult. I was able to get it to flow into the crack and the stop holes. I should have stopped there but just kept adding braze and then it got clumpy. Oh well, it passed a soap and blow air test, so I suppose it will do.
I'm going with the belt and suspenders approach on this because I don't want to have to pull this for a 3rd time. I am also coating the inside of the tank with the KBS 3 part tank sealing system. While affordable and highly rated, this stuff is messy. Part of that is me, if there is a possibility of making a mess, I'll do it. Anyway, I don't have any advice for anyone using this system. Follow the instructions (they are quite good, and they have videos on YT), and try to contain it. Since this hole is on the top of the tank, in an odd location, it is hard to be sure the liquid is flowing over the repair area.
now it is curing for 96 hours. It should be able to take fuel on Wednesday afternoon.
Next up: oil pump gasket, water pump, front main seal, radiator hoses, thermostat, power steering hoses (all 4), all 3 belts, and replacing the old transmission cooler hoses. All of that is in one spot. I'm trying to hit all of the "while you are in there" stuff. If I missed any, y'all let me know.