That engine harness/grommet thingy you have in the 90 is a little different than the description I'm reading above. What you see attached to the firewall is the grommet. When you unbolt it, pull on it to reveal the connector that is down the line about 6". this is where the single center bolt is to disconnect the connector.

the cotton was in the valve body... bad place for it to be... there'* only a few microns clearance (at least, it'* only supposed to have a few mics of clearance).

Just read the general chat thread.

Sometimes, I just really get annoyed by... people.

Anyway, here'* my last tip for now, until the carnage begins -

If you're buying your rebuild kit from a local tranny shop, stop by and get to know the guys, let them know what your doing, and ask them if they mind you calling if you have any problems.

Then, if you find yourself in a pickle while you're rebuilding, just give them a call - because while posting here is a good thing, sometimes you'll just want fast answers (couple that with the fact that only about 5 people here know anything about tranny rebuilds).

And I'm going to go against the grain and say that I think you'll come out with a tranny that works just fine. I think you've learned a heck of a lot since you started wrenching (especially during that whole head gasket fiasco), and if you're patient, and pay attention, you should come out just fine.

It was mentioned in the general chat thread that half of the rebuilders don't even end up with good trannies, and I think that has to do with something very important - most of them *don't* take their time - they get paid based on the standard time to do a job - so no matter how long it takes, they get x hours. So most mechanics are going to try to do is as fast as possible, so that they can get some 16 hours of pay for 2 hours of work. That'* the problem with tranny rebuilds - it'* not that it can't be done right. Contrary to popular belief, it is just a piece of machinery, and that doesn't change because people don't take the time to understand how it works. So yeah, have a backup plan, but most of the people telling you to not do this are doing it because they fear it - because they don't understand it. And then there are a few who know what it entails, and how precise you have to be - but I think the knowledgeable ones are rooting for you to do the job.

Good luck, and let us know when you get ready to start -

matt

Hmmm maybe Randy'* offer in general chat would be something to consider. Lots say have a back up. Seems like for the cost of shipping you'd have the backup in around a week to your local airport. Unless we can find a better way.

mkaake, already had the same thoughts in mind on the trannsmission shops. And yes, I have learned a great deal in the 14 months I have owned the car. It took me a few months just to realize the car was subframed, and distributorless. The head gasket deal was quite the fiasco. But I really did learn a lot from that.

Your point on the rebuilders not taking their time is a valid one. Because you wonder the diagrams and all the procedures are all right there. I never thought of that.

Bill: How bad you guys want to get rid of that engine/trans? And what are we looking at for shipping costs? And.... could this thing fit in the bug'* trunk?

LMAO
Toasted Oats gave me some good priced shipping alternatives the other night. I gotta check with him. PM Randy and see if he is talking motor/trans or just trans. I'm game and can get it to the airport/shipping places.

*slaps a pair of training wheels on the engine/trans and hitches it up to his jeep :P *

You know, that gives me an idea. We should appoint somebody as a bookie, and make bets on if the tranny will never work, work for .5 miles, work for 6 months, or last forever. It would be fun, and exciting.

And even if the tranny rebuild is a complete failure, somebody will come out of it happy.

Seriously though. For what it'* worth though, in my uneducated opinion... I think it can be done. Just take your time, be insanely clean, be totally organized, don't do anything cheap/stupid, and you should be okay. As the man said, it IS just a machine. There'* no magic, no voodoo, no curse for whoever dares to venture beyond pan and filter removal.

Remember though, when you post pictures of your tranny all apart, I want to see all of the parts neatly lined up on a spotlessly clean surface. If you're in the picture, I want to see you in scrubs, booties, gloves, and a hair net. Buy a few shower curtains to hang up all around the area, to keep out dust and dirt. Make a makeshift airlock out of the same. It'll be fun.

You'll need a cherry picker. That 3800 weighs atleast 300 lbs ready to fire i bet.. don't wanna see anyone get effed up doing this.

They also make cradles that attatch to the unibody that hold the engine, u could do that and a jack or jackstand underneath it while the slushbox is out.

Good luck.

300lbs Jason? Keep on going, don't forget engine and tranny together in this case.