Round 3 For Hot H2O!

If you recall I haven't had hot water for 2 months now. I'll tell you about Rounds 1 & 2 in trying to fix the water heater later, but today is Round 3: outright replacement of the water heater. I have a bad feeling this will be far more difficult than my Dad and I anticipate. Actually I anticipate a disaster so what is worse than a disaster?