I had the same issue with the repop straps, what a PITA to do the install of my new tank. I'm not a welder so I had a shop cut the old filler neck and tack it onto my new one. The best was when I used a 5 gallon gas tank to fill it up to run it around the block all the gas came spitting out at me b/c my brainiac self never unplugged the vent line.
Been reading this thread as a reference, thanks so much for writing it all down!