I'm surprised that nobody has responded to this post; due to my moving
I haven't gotten my latest Turning Wheels yet so I obviously haven't
read the article.  I geuss that many of the "usual suspects" are
heading for South Bend, also.  I had a 6 cylinder valve body laying
around so I stuck it in about eight months ago to get the first gear
start and also changed the governor a little later.  I haven't grenaded
the tranny yet, but IMHO the first gear start isn't all it's cracked up
to be and is a bit annoying due to the band application that occurs on
the downshift.  The upshift is fine.  When and if the tranny blows up I
have a 200 R4 to replace it with, but if I had it to do over again I
wouldn't bother with the valve body changeout.  If I ever wanted to do
the first gear start with a FOM again, I would do it the "right" way
and install the sprag and stuff to get rid of the pesky band apply
downshift.  I don't know if the 6 cylinder (up to 60) tranny has the
guts in it already; nobody has ever asked or answered that question and
someday I may take it apart to see for myself.  One more note; my
tranny "guru" said to loosen the band a little to help lessen the
"klunk" when it downshifts into first.  I haven't tried that yet.
Studebaker George