PNJSNAK Jim take the rearend out and remove the fluid. Get your weldind friend to weld inside and out. Do the job RIGHT, If you are not worryed about your life, think about the accident you could cause if that rear breaks or locks up when your driving or racing. Since you built your car I would think it will only take 2 hours to pull it 2 hours to put it in and bleed the brakes, and you can check the center section while it is apart. You have a lot of time and money invested in the car, what's another hour here or there.
In the winter pull it out and by that time I will find you that support kit for the housing. I forgot about drilling the holes to stop the crack,that's a good thing to do. Rick Lake