'not enough meat on the valve head to drill and fit a connector '

I was wondering if that was going to be the case and was pretty much just hoping it wasn't. I just have access to a drilling and threading. Not much gear where I am right now. (Not totally settled in yet.) As an alterantive, I was going to forget the front portion of the valve and replace it with a long tube capable of handling the pressures and then just putting a check valve/fill nipple on the end. A type of hipac system but using lower pressure. Maybe I could thow a gauge somewhere in there as well if I found the right parts. If you know of a link to a mod like this I would appreciate it.

Thanks again.