I went to a local jack-of-all-trades auto shop and they are going to braze/solder a length of 3/8 copper tubing onto the fitting that screws into the tank. I think I can make one 45 degree bend in the tube, get it started into the tank, then straighten the tubing and fish the rest down. I'm almost glad for this snag as I'll be able to get the pickup tube very near the bottom of the tank where all the crap resides.