If it's running okay now... (LONG)
WaLieN:
If it's running okay now, use the opportunity to research the subject. Do EVERYTHING you can to learn about the process.
For me, I knew about the tranny problems before I bought the my 'Bird. I learned that right here, at TCCOA. Like you, there was NO WAY I could afford to screw this up.
Once I had the car, and finally "felt" the infamous shudddddder, I got to where I could "force" the car to do it. And, like everybody else, it annoyed the crap outta me.
Time for action.
I read (and printed) all that I could from here. Took notes. Made lists.
I read everything I could get my hands on about ANY transmission. Took more notes.
Then I grabbed a couple beaters by the tranny (see below), and changed the fluid/filter on the Toyota. Feeling cocky, I grabbed a couple articles about the Mopar Torqueflite A-727, did the fluid/filter dance, and modded it slightly on the way out.
It was time to start buying parts.
Returning to TCCOA, I reread all the info, and shopped a bit, and learned that Transgo's kit had a videotape in it.
Bought me a Transgo kit, and a TON of parts from Ford.
Read all the instructions with the kit and watched the movie TWICE before I turned "Bolt One" on the car.
By this point, I was pointing out mistakes that they made in the movie! (It was STILL worth it, because I was getting to see the tranny's guts without actually having to get dirty.)
Grabbed the brother-in-law for a second set of eyes to watch things come apart, so that they would double-check as things went back together.
Took my time, made sure everything was sterile all the time, followed A-Train's instructions (Thanks, A-Train!!!), and it went very well. I even sidestepped the common "I did the J-mod and now I don't have OD" problem.
I did find like, three things I would have done differently in the process, but the advice here is good.
And, look at some of the old posts on the old board -- some of the posts were questions asked by members "in mid-J-mod", that were answered in REAL TIME by other TCCOA members!
I could go on lavishing praise, and add infinite detail about my tranny, but I'll stop, and see if that's the desired effect.
Good luck, WaLieN!