Here's the prep & cut. Used a fine tooth blade, and had to drill out 3 spot welds. I did manage to break a clip that cannot be replaced on it's own, but I will deal with that. Notice how the cut on right is far enough back that it's in the hat channel so I did not need to cut the edge of the hat channel off. This looks like enough room, but if needed I can trim the edge of the hat channel.
I am waiting on some parts and ring tool to finish the pump swap, but going back to TIG'ing it, I think for safety reasons I will TIG the seams 100% and then TIG tack back where the spot welds were. Then will clean/prime the area (underneath I can reach with my hand, so maybe a wipe of some sort to protect the metal) and then just a quick shot of white spray. Like it never happened
