It's done and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I managed to cut through 3 sides and left the most forward sealant/insulation to act as a hinge. A simple 1x2 metal strap screwed to each side supports the cutout. Thanks for the oil mod info. I think I'll sit on that for a while, though.
And, as I thought, the battery had never been checked and the engine oil has not been changed. That's next. Ed.
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