Received a new (different ) transmission from the folks who sent me the original set-up. Below is a pic of what I found after dropping the pan. Bolt stuck to magnet.
View attachment 101316
Cripes.
I'll let them know Monday of this--don't know if it means anything, as all the bolts for the valve body are Torx. Maybe a clown?.......
Meanwhile . I'm gonna rebuild the diff as there is 1/4 of a tooth missing on the ring gear--might as well get that out of the way. Gonna run 3.73:1.
Hurry up and wait.