cleaning valve body on camry

Greetings.

My wife's '93 Camry XLE has experienced a hard 1-2 shift for at least 3
years now. Besides this, the tranny (A540E) seems to be fine. With a
firmer throttle, the shift smooths out. It is most severe at a low
acceleration. I have adjusted the throttle pressure cable going into
the trans to minimize the harsh shift, so she has driven it like this
for at least 2 years. I know that when I first check her trans years
ago, the fuild was firly dark brown, did not look good. I don't think
it had been changed since new possibly. This was at around 100K Mi. I
changed the fluid twice and this did help somewhat. So I suspect the
valve body is gummed up now. As well, since this trans seems to have
some issues with its check balls, I figure I'll dropt the valve body
and rebuild it.

So I have a question about maybe trying something else before I do
this. I am wondering if some sort of flushing agent like Transmedic
may be worthwhile adding to lossen up some gumming and then change the
fluid? Or maybe go for a full transmission flush service? The fluid
is very clean now and has been since I changed it 2 yrs ago.

My other question involves cleaning procedures for the valve body. Is
there some particular solvent recommended for soaking an Aluminum valve
body in that won't attack the Aluminum? Since the vavle body
tolerances are tight and valve surfaces are highly polished, I'm
worried about using something that can damage it. I've heard of people
using warmed antifreeze, Berryman's B12 (I think B9 is too harsh?),
brake cleaner. I have heard that the valves themselves should only be
polished with something like white rouge. If anyone has experience
overhauling valve bodies, I would really appreciate input.

thanks

dave mc

"davemac" > wrote in message
oups.com...

When I was young, a long time ago, we just used clean diesel to
soak the valve bodies. It doesnt attack aluminum, but there are
healthier things to use, like the 'green' solvents that are common
in parts washers. Stoddard solvent and others are available.

We polished the parts with red crocus cloth.

I am interested to hear what people recommend nowadays.