Wow, thanks everyone!

Weirdly, this last email from Mike is what it took for the whole
conversation -- and all the extra replies -- to show up in my gmail.

Turns out there was some issues in the differential, so the
transmission place (Jack at Wholesale Transmission on San Pablo in
Berkeley, CA) got a good used one and replaced it free of charge.
Total with new torque converter, GoWesty cooler, labor and taxes was
around $2300.

The whole thing feels bullet proof now :)

Next time I'm having problems, I'll come to this list first!

Thanks again for all the info!

Philippe