Has anyone been crazy enough to try DIY AW70 valve-body rebuilding? When I got my junkyard transmission (which I STILL haven't been able to install due to cold and now rain) I was surprised that they didn't want my old one as a core. So I started taking it apart. The only problem with it is that was a very delayed shift out of first (5000+ RPM), but all other shifts and kickdowns completely normal.

After disassembling the valve body, I'm almost convinced that it is DIY rebuildable. I found a sticky valve and a broken spring, which I'm pretty sure is my problem. I would not get into replacing the clutches or bearings, which I think are all OK (and probably not DIY rebuildable anyway). My dad, who has the green book, said it has great diagrams of where every little ball and spring goes, and which length bolt goes in which hole.

So any words of encouragement (or accusations of insanity) would be appreciated. I'd especially like to hear from anyone who has attempted DIY rebuild.

One other thing... this is an '89 NA sedan, which I thought was supposed to be an 03-70L. The ID plate is unreadable, but 03-71 is stamped in the side of the casting. Some of the valve body parts are stamped with 03-71L and others are stamped with 03-70L. It definitely has a lock-up converter. Is it possible that this is the original transmission or has it likely been rebuilt before (and thus the mismatched parts)? I just recently bought this car and know nothing about previous service history.