My TCU was on its death bed, so I've been manually shifting down from limp mode into 2nd then up into what I assume is 4th, because it felt like 2nd and 4th.

Interlocks dont always engage (or disengage) as part of the TCU death throws. So I overshot and managed to shift from D2 up to R because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing... and as such, now (what i assume to be) the tranny makes clanking noises. I haven't bothered taking it to a mechanic yet.

Now, the car is rusting out from under me as it is (I need new quarter panels), and my rear window seal leaks water into the trunk. Should I bother with a transmission repair, engine swap, or anything of the sort, or just junk the car? What kind of costs do you think I'm looking at for any route of repair?

 

Well trannys vary..My advice is to get a lude..tranny.. Its a direct bolton and its alot stronger than the traditional F22.
One question though how often were changing out the tranny fluid..