how to straighten speedo tab without breaking

[seware74]

I've been piecing together the parts from several C-series speedos to make one clean working one. So far so good. Last step is to straighten out the mounting tab on the speedo housing. I'm mechanically inclined but not a fabricator or welder type; know nothing about metallurgy. I'm nervous to just grab onto the ear and start bending. What would be the best way to get it bent back into shape without breaking it off or weakening it? Heat? My recollection is that the housing is zinc or maybe zamac... but could be wrong there. 

 

sorry if this is elementary... I subscribe to the idea that the only stupid question is the one you ask after you bunk something up that you could have asked about.   TIA

[JBNeal]

some pictures of your specific situation may yield more helpful solutions...