I have figured out how to use replace a model and it seems to work fine with two very different models. However, I have taken some of the importable models and modified their "model data" to skip some pixels. These skips are added to reach lengths over 1 pixel away and the new models work perfectly fine using this method. When looking at "node layout" both the old and new model will report the same number of nodes which makes sense as the number of used pixels or locations in the model has not changed.
To explain another way, instead of my model being "n1 n2 n3 n4" it goes "n1 n2 n4 n5"
The issue is no matter which way I try to do the replace method, I cannot get the model data to update correctly and it always resorts to not having any skips. (n1 n2 n3 n4)
For another test, I have a model which does not have any added skips but does change the node/wiring order and it does work fine.