There are no vacuum lines whether disconnected, plugged or whatever that will keep these transmissions from shifting. The vacuum on these only soften or slow the shifts. With no vacuum the trans will shift quicker and harder.
With the presence of metal shavings you may consider replacing with a rebuilt or used? Those chunks will destroy the front pump. That pump costs about $850 just for the part, if you can find one.
I would guess the B2B is broke. It should pry out of there. It is a big piston and it can get hung up on the metal parts that fracture. Just push, pull, pry it out.