Solved the clearance problems. I had my bin of pressure plates and snap rings out, preparing to find the combination that got the stacks to within spec but didn't end up needing any of that. My initial fitting re-used the old steels, not expecting to re-use them but I wanted to verify the clearance with the new clutches before I opened up more packages and had parts everywhere.
Front drum (the big one): it only had 3 frictions in it, which is weird to begin with. There are tons of online references to guys using thinner frictions and machining the pressure plate down to allow for a 5th friction, but nobody anywhere is running 3. We'll file that under "proof that somebody had been in here before me." I added the 4th steel and 4th friction but that put me over spec. Min clearance is 67 thou but I couldn't even get the 25 thou feeler in there....with the old steels. I finally realized I hadn't swapped in the new steels yet. Then like magic, I was within spec. 90 thou fit and 108 thou wouldn't, max is 134 so that one is money.
Rear drum (the one with the burned up clutches) looked to be under spec when I removed it but was also waaaay to tight during my intial fitment, probably due to the fact that the frictions weren't really frictions anymore. But at least it had the right number. With the new steels it got much better. This drum requires more precision, between 0.22" - 0.36" and you are supposed to use selective thickness snap rings....not that I have any idea how to track those down should I need them. Anyway 0.25" fit & 0.38" wouldn't so we're money here as well.
Side note. The first time I had one of these apart I was SUPER METICULOUS about what order everything went in, etc. I've done it enough times now that I'm now like the guys on the transmission rebuild videos, where they just take stuff out and throw it wherever because they already know how it goes back together without a second thought.
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