As the title suggests I have a 1994 Accord EX with an auto tranny that decided it was tired of life. I've bought an MPJA at a local junkyard that's supposed to be good (looks like a rollover), along with the compatible drive plate. (Not the exact correct transmission but word is it's a direct fit and more fun, please don't fail me Mike)

Now I've found some good guides on how to get the thing out and get the new one in, but I'm pretty sure there's stuff I need to do to the transmission before I can use it, and I'm not super clear what.
I assume the 3x drain and fill "flush" procedure is one of them, and I assume there's some seals , but I'm not sure which ones. Anything I'm missing?
I don't want to kill this thing right when I put it in, especially since she's not exactly the youngest transmission.

Anything else that's gonna slap me in the face when I start this job that I should know about?

[EDIT 1] My bad, looks like I missed at least one post, this one has some good stuff >> https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-.../#post44916843

 

One of the things you might do is verify you have all the shift solenoids on the new transmission and they are the same as the original, or otherwise take them off the old one and put them on the new one. Easier to do while they are out, not in the engine compartment.
While the solenoids are off, clean out the filters.
Also, I would highly recommend changing the axle seals in the transmission, they are $5 each and easy to pop in while it's on the floor. You might buy an extra one in case you damage one putting it in.
Make sure you have an impact to get the axle nuts off, they can be stubborn and need (usually) at least 125lbs to get them off.

And yes, change the fluid so you have a base point to record for your next change and know that it's good fluid in there.

When you are lining it all up, make sure you have it in the right gear before attaching up the shifter cable. it's not uncommon to knock it over a gear when removing it ( I seem to recall doing this while turning a socket wrench, and just reminding myself that I did have it in the right gear when putting it back.

Finally, when finished, don't put it on the ground immediately, hook up the axles and brakes, etc, and while on the jack stands, start the car and just make sure 1- it's actually in park, 2-then roll it into "D1", then D2 and so forth to make sure it's going into each gear ( if it makes you too nervous to be running it in the air, just stay off the gas and run it through Park, 1st (or D4) and then reverse. Then at least you know it should move in the correct direction or stop when you think it should.

Because nothing is more annoying than bringing it down only to find it is not cabled up correctly.

Should be a piece of cake (well, maybe a tedious job).

 

I put an MPJA in my 94 and I love it. I had a shop do the work. I gave them a set of solenoids and a VSS, and the only thing they changed was the VSS. The used my old one. I should have asked why but I didn't. Maybe because the Odyssey uses larger tires and would change my speedometer reading? I really don't know. Anyway, It would be nice if there was a 5th gear for highway driving, but since I don't do much of that, It is fine like it is. I used the TCU from a 94 Prelude with the H23A1 motor, mainly because my old TCU was failing. I have some other TCU's I want to try but I haven't done that yet. Probably won't make any difference anyway.