General question about those troublesome solid teflon rings using on the 4T65E and other transmissions.

1) Has anyone found a reliable alternative to buying $150+ tools for installing and resizing the 3 rings on the 4T65E input shafts ?

2) How critical is the sizing ? In other words can you resize them too small ?

3) Can you L-cut, slant-cut or step-cut these seals and use them effectively ?

4) Finally the kicker...where is a good source to get an extra set of these teflon seals after a person goofs up trying to DIY

Background: I have done dozens of rebuilds without having to buy expensive tools, occationally making a tool here and there...tried the smae here. On my 1999 GP GT, I read about some methods of resizing them with clamps but putting ridges on them, etc. I wrapped about 5 layers of box sealing tape around them and compressed them with hose clamps...worked perfectly and no ridges...I think the tape was the reason they had no bumps or other marks. The driven sprocket support went very well, and as a mockup you also get to watch it go over the seals to make sure there was no binding. After a few test assym's, I installed the input housing, 2nd clutch pack and after they were in installed the driven sprocket support assy. But it would not go in easily, kept hanging on the 2nd teflon ring whichw as looser than the others. After a few attempts, I shaved a small piece off ruining the seal.

In retrospect, I wonder if I had left the clamps on for several hours, maybe even heating in the over to like 120 degrees to make them more pliable, and installing the 24 hours, and installing the driven sprocket support and letting it sit overnight to let the rings stablize would have helped.

Since I am sure dozens out there have faced the smae issue, I am wondering if any success stories are out there ?

Thx in advance !
Dave~