[SS427]

Are you sure it did not get cracked during the install? Many times people use the bolts to "pull" the trans into the bellhousing. Major no no as it can easily crack the ears. You may have a difficult time getting the rebuilder to take the blame for missing the crack simply due to the amount of time that has passed.

Fixing the ears can be done, is done routinely and is not that expensive (for just ear rewelding).

I just had an M-22 case that literally had an internal explosion and cracked the case almost 200 degrees around as well as breaking off 3 ears all in the name of saving an original case with the VIN intact. It was extremely expensive but the end result was well worth the effort. Broken ears on Muncie cases are very common.

As a side note, this same trans had porosity issues after the reweld and rebuild yet we were able to fix the welders errors and the leaks without tearing the trans back down and this area was in the main part of the housing not the ear area so you should have no problem welding it up. The biggest thing you need to be cautious of is making sure there is NO contaminate.
Rick