HELP! transmission case repair?

This is an amazing thread. I've never seen so many negative opinions based entirely on opinion; not fact, and not experience. What all threads have in common is the question of procedure about something the op is unfamiliar with. Usually, commenters have some experience with the problem or solution and give advice based on their experience. But in this thread we have a multitude of nervous posters commenting out of fear and encouraging the op to do exactly what he's trying to avoid; replace the case. You guys are AMAZING!! I'll stay tuned for further entertainment!