Trans is ready to come out today, as soon as my buddy stops in around 12:00 noon.

I checked for forward and backwards movement of converter when I removed flex plate bolts last night. GOOD. I always check that before installing torque converter bolts. This engine , trans, and flex plate have been bolted together for almost 4 years. Only thing different was 57 more horsepower this year, and using the trans brake this year.