Jack, I'll PM you phone number. I can always assist over the phone if you get stuck. I've done mine twice now.
Yes, you basically have the process down. You just need to go to the parts store and get a filter for the VX tranny. Usually about $30-$40. The filter should come with the gasket. Take the gasket out right away, get some heavy books and flatten that sucker out under the books for a day or two. If you don't, you will have a HELLUVA time getting it to sit right on the pan. I agree, just draining and refilling is a halfie job. I think 9 quarts should do it.
The first time I did my tranny I used a pump to push the fluid up and in. It took FOREVER and I spilled A LOT of fluid allover everything. I highly recommend the funnel and siphon method. I think my funnel cost about $6 from Wal*mart and then you just need an extra length of clear tubing. That is the easiest and cleanest way to fill the tranny. And remember to reference the instructions to check the level when you fill it, the process has been posted a million times on here.
The only problem you may run into if this has never been done on your VX before is a rotten and stuck on gasket. Once you remove all the bolts, the pan should come free. If your pan has never been dropped, it will probably be stuck there with the rotted gasket. Take a 2x4 about the length of your forearm and put it up against the pan, whack the 2x4 a few times with a rubber mallet and it should come free. Then have fun scraping the old gasket off the lips of the pan and housing. Be careful when doing this, do not use a flat blade screwdriver or anything that could mar the mating surface. Clean the pan out real good and inspect the magnet for excessive metal shavings. No matter what, you will have some metal shaving or more like a metal paste attached to the magnet. Wipe all that clean.
If you have a helper, it makes things faster if you fill the pan with a quart or 2 of ATF before you lift it up and bolt it on. Otherwise, filling can take a little time.
Another tip, take your VX to the car wash and pressure clean the beejesus outta that area and over the cross member to get as much dirt and crap out ahead of time, otherwise it will be raining dirt the whole time you are under your VX.
Give yourself a full Saturday.
When you are done, make popsicles with the old fluid and pass them around to the kids in your neighborhood.
JK, take it all to your parts store and dump it. I know Kragen here takes oil and ATF for free.
Bart
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