I have the Haynes manual, the two ATSG manuals (82-86 and green "update" manual) as well as the Technical Video tape for rebuilding it. I've watched the tape twice and read through all three manuals repeatedly.

Yesterday I started the disassembly and I've read so much on it, that I was actually working off of memory! I had to look for ONE snap ring, the rest was a breeze! I have emptied the case now and disassembled the valve body completely to install the TransGo SK700 shift kit. I can honestly say the instructions for the kit are EXTREMELY well written. I'm taking my time with it and cleaning everything meticulously - hopefully it will pay off!

BTW, I have yet to "have" to buy any SPECIAL TOOLS. The pump came out with a little bit of gentle coersion with a pry bar (and I mean gentle!) I made the spring compressor for the low/reverse piston out of a 1" tall 3" diameter PVC pipe, a drawbolt, and a 4" long piece of 1"x2" wood with a hole in the center. I poked the drawbolt up into a hole in my little portable bench, through the PVC and wood, then put a nut on top and tightened it until the pressure came off the snap ring. I just popped it off afterwards and removed the assembly!

Here's a thread I started over on CorvetteForum with some pictures in it.

I do have a couple of questions for the experts - what signifies BURNT clutches or a BURNT band? I looked at my band and it was dark - not quite black but close to it. The surface was .. not super rough, but a little rough. I haven't disassembled any of the drums yet, so I only have the low/reverse clutches out - and they're kinda dark (but not as dark as the band.) I definitely have the 6-pack of 3-4 clutches, which I'm replacing with the Borg Warner 9-pack. Hopefully I won't lose 3rd & 4th anymore like I have been in the past.

Also, what's a good way to clean the case? I have a small pressure washer - but are there any reccomendations as to what soap/cleaner to use? I'm not really worried about getting it SPARKLING clean, because I want to paint it with POR15.