You're going to need a seal puller, a couple different varieties to make sure you have all the bases covered. A torque wrench to say the least. I have a 3/8" drive and a 1/2" drive, but at least the 3/8" for sure.
Im going to have Trannyman do all the valve body work and updates. That area is more than I care to deal with, in addition the tools and such needed to do the work are way expensive for a one time deal.
At that point, I guess its just a matter of what all you want to do to the tranny. Im opting to go with a single chain set up while Im in there. You'll need the standard tools obvious, wrachets, sockets, etc. There are a couple other tools that would be needed as well.
The manuals mentioned in this thread are invaluable. But most of all, if you have ANY reservations about doing the work I would opt for letting Trannyman do the rebuild. Im a little more daring and a tad bit of a risk taker when it comes to things like this because I like to learn. But I also have another vehicle to drive and a spare tranny, so Ive tried to prepare for things as well.
Its fun work to me, relaxing and challenging. But I can see where it would be a little nerve racking too. If you have never done it before then the uncertainty of whether or not you have done each and everything the way it should be can be a little to deal with. Particularly since you wont find out until you got it installed back in the car and everything buttoned back up.
I wish there was a place around here I could take the tranny and have them hook it up and check functionality. Sorta like the machine Jaspers has to check their trannies after rebuilds. That would put to rest some of the concerns.
I have disassembled a Ford 4F27E transmission, but I never rebuilt it or put it back together either. But I became fascinated with auto trannies doing that and have waited a very long time for an opportunity to do what I am doing now. I can say I have enjoyed it to such a degree that if Trannyman would hire me and I could make the money I make now Id work for him in a heartbeat.
im thinking about doing a rebuild on my blown tranny myself but dont know if i got the balls to tear it down and replace the parts as well as inspect and put everything back together again. i started reading through the manual 3800SE posted but dunno what ALL the parts i need for a rebuild. i was planning on getting the master overhaul from trannyman dave along with a hardned 4th gear hub but what else would i need? also would i need special/specific tools?