[Vwdiesel] An off-topic question

[S. Shourds]

I have a project I need to clear out so I can get back to working on the 
Diesel VWs (necessary content).  A while back, a co-worker gave me an 
'85 MB 380SE.  Runs fine (aside from a battery drain), looks OK (aside 
from some sun damage and one busted-off mirror).  What made it free is 
the fact that the transmission is completely dead.  Only gears that work 
are park and neutral.  The others are variations on neutral.  The fluid 
is black and disturbingly plentiful.  Just for jollies, I'm going to 
dump the fluid, refill and change the filter, but I'm not 
super-optimistic.  While the fluid doesn't smell burnt, I have that 
feeling. 

Question is, anyone tied into an auto tranny and lived to tell the 
tale?  I could probably find a used one and just stick it in there, but 
I found out I can get an ATSG manual for $15 and a rebuild kit for 
$250.  And, since fools rush in where angels fear to tread, what's $265 
for a quality learning experience?  If anyone has any experiences to 
relate or info resources to pass on, I'd appreciate it.  You can p-mail 
me to keep from contaminating the flow here with gasoline.  I'd ask 
elsewhere, but this may be a job for the smarter, better looking set 
that isn't intimidated by the scary black box. 

Thanks

-Shalyn