First thing I am trying to do is find out if the problem is simply a vacuum leak. There are 2 hoses going to the small box on the firewall. One is short and goes to check valve a few inches away. Soon as I pulled that hose off I heard air hissing in so I assume the vacuum is fine over there. I pulled the other hose, aqua colored which I traced down to the passenger side of the transmission. Applied vacuum and it doesn't hold. Aplying vacuum to the box on the firewall does no good, there is a release valve on the box. I can plug that screened openning with my finger and it will hold but it looks like it is supposed to be there.
My questions:
is the aqua vacuum hose supposed to hold vacuum or slowly give it up.
How do you get your hands in there down by the transmission where this hose ends? The space is so limited. I want to apply vacuum to the box on the transmission that it is connected to but can't get in there.

If the line to trans does not hold vac, the most probable cause is a bad vac shift element. It is at the trans end of the vac hose. Very common fault on that chassis.

OK, how do I get in there to remove that element. Even if I remove the exhaust and the drive shaft I don't see how I can fit a tool next to the transmission.

Thery are difficult to change.
Many guys just put a BB in the line and live with it. It is only there as an emmissions device and only holds the car in 2nd gear delay when it is cold at first start-0ff to aid in rapid cat warm-up You can let the engine warm up a little on cold days and it will not trigger the CE code..I just keep it in low gear selection range when cold for a few moments manually. That does the same.

...but if you do want to change the unit, it can be done . Try the archieves for step procedures.