...had a clunk on a downshift and then it started to NOT downshift.
It would upshift from a start in "D", but didn't feel right when coming to a stop.
3 qts. of Valvoline high-mileage ATF and 1 qt. of Lucas 'helper' hasn't shown an improvement and it'* probably now overfull.
I'm slightly PO'd about this new 100,000 mile problem.

Recommendations?

Lately I've heard what sounded like a rear axle bearing growl, and then when adding the fluid to the trans, I also thought I heard a vacuum leak.
So, I don't know what the noise in the back is; my tranny won't downshift; I might have a vacuum leak.

Grrrrrrrr.
What do you think my best course of action is? ( besides not going to the dealer!)

Get the overfill out of there ASAP.

Consider a flush. It won't make the problem worse, and it MIGHT buy you time.

At the very least, drop the pan and change the filter. That will end up replacing about 1/3 of the fluid.

How 'bout I schedule a 'flush' at the dealer and not say anything else...?

Not the dealer. Find a reputable oil change place, and have it done for about $75.

I spoke with Busmaster about the situation on the phone and the worst case scenario which would be a trans overhaul being done.
The current KBB value for his car in excellent condition is $2480, $2170 in good condition, I would put it in between there and we are only talking a couple hundred dollars difference. (my 97 if running is worth about $1000 more overall with high mileage)

He has recently put in a fairly high amount of money for his brake system and some other items, and the cost of repair will run at least $1200, so the bigger question is..
How much to keep this beloved car on the road?
We love 'em, we drive 'em, but when is enough actually enough financially?

Another scenario would be for about around the same $$ amount, finding a very low mileage engine / transmission and arrange for mechanic that would do the swap for him since he has about 100k on the engine already, and that may presumably be the next big ticket item to fail in a major way.

I could help him out and give him my trans from my 97 Bonn SSE if applicable, but ours has almost 170K on it as it sits with a seized engine, and even then since we can't get together to pick and pull, not to mention I haven't a garage to work in, a mechanic would still charge the above price for doing it.

My 97 still sits in the driveway with a seized engine, I also can't afford the engine swap as yet. And I can't see throwing away his car or mine.

He could take that $1200 that he doesn't have and trade it in at a used car lot for a newer Pontiac, but he may end up with more problems, ya never know....

On another note-
How much for a low mileage SSEI engine for my 97 and what else would I have to do to the SSE for the SSEI to work properly, wiring or computer issues?

It is said that "**** and tires are trouble", but on the other hand, lots of fun!

Umm, did the flush ever get completed? Sounds like you're going a little far on totaling the car because the trans is being a little weird. :? Just have it flushed and filter changed and see how that goes.

BusMaster emailed me early this morning that he is taking it in for a oil change or flush, he will be online later I'm sure.
That is the first course of action, and he will see what, if any changes for the better will occour.

97 BonnSSE

I'm not writing the car off. Not a chance.

The shop opens at 0800.
I'll be there.
The car should make it a few blocks, at least!

I had the transmission 'serviced' rather than flushed.
It got a clean bill of health. Shifts fine according to them.
I wonder why it was shifting more noticably before yesterday...? it would downshift manually with a definite reduction in speed, and now, just yesterday and after the service it feels more like it'* coasting while the shift lever is brought to the next gear down.
In other words, it doesn't sound or feel like it did before, but it is working fine according to the reputable shop'* people who test drove the car before and after the service.

Still has that 'bearing noise', but I don't hear the vacuum leak.

There is a slight amount of oil leakage at the valve covers and at the oil pan.
There was a visible droplet of coolant on the bottom end of the engine, but the coolant lever is fine.
I saw this at the trans shop. The codes for a lean air/fuel mixture and low air temp came up.
I took the notes to the dealer to request that they double check their work recently.
We found the connector was loose at the air cleaner box...that was probably my doing.

Basically, the professionals at both shops declared the car suitable to drive.

so the condition of the ATF is normal? bright red? because that kinda shifting problem can be attributed to a clogged filter, i know mine was. after i serviced mine,trans tune, drain, fill, drive, drain, filter, fill, lucas, it feels like new again. I'm sure they declared it fine, but do you know how long its been since the fluid WAS flushed/changed?