Ok, drained tranny and torque converter. Removed pan. Spied up 3 little phillips head screws and thought "oh, this is too easy!"
Premature celebration: could only budge one of the three. I tried everything I could but with just the front end up on ramps I couldn't get enough behind the screwdriver to budge the screws.
Well, I finally gave up and just put the new gasket in and screwed the pan back up.
It's not that I had any transmission problems, it was just my goal to change it and I wasn't able to get it accomplished.

I'd find a better screwdriver....

The pro series sears (smap-on's) will fit the screw properly. They have a hex boss at the base so you can slide a wrench on. Push hard with arm, use the wrench to break the screws free.

If the fluid wasn't really dirty, I'd wait a while. Heck, you did the hard and messy part with getting all the old fluid out. On mine, I can remove the ??drivers side cooler line and drain another 1/2 quart or so.

Michael

__________________
Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Shawnster,

Had the same problem as you yesterday. One screw from the filter was too tight, and the screw driver (Stanley) was slipping. I used a larger philips screw driver (Harbor Freight) and got the screw out.

Also an option: a phillips attachment for your socket wrench. Greatly improves leverage and stability (as long as attachment is good fit and quality steel).