Well - this is all related to an "assumed" tranny problem, after having much
work ($$$) done the problem wasn't fixed - Went back to tranny shop and they
claimed a spark or vacuum problem. I changed plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and
even the ignition coil. no improvement. Went to a recommended service shop -
they told me that the crack in the exhaust manifold was causing the O2
sensor to mis-read and this created the tranny shifting problem --- well -
after replacing the manifold there is no improvement in performance:
From dead stop - full throttle the vehicle is slow (I6 4.0 3.07 gears - it
should be like a rocket) remaining at full throttle it will wind up and not
change gears unless foot is let off throttle. Then at highway speeds when
trying to pass it used to rev up to 3500 rpm's with no drive train
response - now (after second visit to tranny shop) it will not go over 60
mph on the freeway and rpm's remain constant (although if I put it in
neutral it will rev up).

So the service shop is guesstimating that the computer is bad - but finding
one is proving difficult - the service shop is continuing diagnosis to see
if they can verify the computer is faulty......

thanks
paul