u can save it, my rebuild is perfect, I will not open it for 100K, tranny people pretty much say, don't mess with it, they are beautifully sealed, mint looking inside even when destroyed. ATF fluid keeps them looking clean and new. My rebuild should have cost double. Exhaust had to come off also to get tranny out, I took the time to strip off rust and paint it all and had shop put it all back with stainless steel hardware. Gotta plan long term with these VX's, I am never giving it up. Mine forever