any tips on diagnosis here?

i'd prefer if i can diagnose myself, save me some $$ at the mechanic if i can tell him whats wrong, further than "Die Auto ist kaput. Es fahrt nicht!"

or, hopefully (crosses fingers, calls all mechanically inclined friends and friends with tools) something i can fix?

torque converter sounds rather ominous, though.

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1980 280se w126 chassis "Das Boot" aka "ben's benz"