68 Bowen HW Heater inlet problem

[jyobp]

HI all.
In replumbing my 1968 Overlander, I tried to remove the old flair fittings that were on the water heater so I could update them to new fittings. One came off just fine, but the other broke off just before the tank. It is a 10g heater... looks like a compressed full size house tank. Any ideas as to if I can fix this?
Can I take off that outer shroud to get to the actual tank?

Thanks.

Jim

[goransons]

we just replaced our water heater on our 69. We're replacing all the pipe too, and new tank etc. After seeing what was inside our tank from 40 years of water I wouldn't reuse it. Can only assume that if that pipe is that bad, that the inside of the tank can't be far behind. Hardest part is getting the old unit out, which it looks like you've already done. I'd call Palomino parts and see about a price to replace the entire thing. 10 Gallon Suburban w/direct ignition was like 250 bucks.