I thought you would have learned by now there is no way out, each time you start to see the light at the top you get sucked back down, deeper every time. - hopefully you still find something simple without having to pull and rebuild the trans.
I am a hard learner... at this point though would rebuilding the trans and adding a TC really be a bad thing? Sucks to think about doing but would be nice for the rear end, trans and engine all to be done, I wouldn't have to take the car off the road for any major tear downs?