[aigel]

It is back together. I had my local pelican buddy come by to help me guide the trans back in place. I did spring for a better throw out bearing than the one in the kit and also replaced the slave cylinder, so all the bits are new now.

When first starting it I had some weird noises and it hesitated, so I was very concerned, even though operating the clutch at rest worked fine. Noises cleared up quickly and I think it may have been the new vacuum pump (admittedly a $50 amazon special, rather than the $300 brand name products, haha).

I had to wait for new axle gaskets and the oil to start driving it. Once on the road I had a shudder at very low rpm, basically when you attempt to launch at idle. I power bled the clutch and got some air out, but it didn't improve. I drove it to work (plenty stop and go, about 70 miles round trip) and it gradually improved all the way to smooth. I did lightly sand the flywheel to check for flatness and think things needed to break in.

I found out from the Haynes manual that the huge axle to hub bolts are stretch bolts and need replacement. They are not in stock at AutoZone "special order". I guess nobody really replaces them. I did order a set and will put those in once they arrive. Maybe overkill, but holding the hub to the axle seems important.

Thanks for all the input and advice. I learned a lot on how to do this on a FWD car and it is re-assurance that FWD cars suck to work on! Haha.