Well I definitely appreciated all of the feedback, as well as BillBoost37's write ups. I ended up finding a trans from an 01 Regal, and it ended up only costing me $30 more, so seemed like the smart way to go. About 12 more hours than it should have taken it's finally back on the road.
Now the question I have now, is that when it went back in, I have a feeling that I caught and broke a vacuum line that is associated with the heating system. The check engine light is on, and I think that it will be the exact same code as my 99 is showing since we did the intake gaskets last week, which we've determined is a post-MAF vac leak, although this car doesn't stall when it goes into closed loop.
I've done some google searches, but can't find a vacuum diagram for the car. The sticker under the hood only shows the one line from the TB to the EVAP, and nothing to do with the rest of the car.
Reason I'm pretty sure that is my problem, as after I put the motor and trans back in the car on Sunday (out and back in from the top) I found a broken piece of vacuum line that had a cap on it that looked factory that was on the floor at the back - driver's side of the engine bay.
EDIT: To add to that reasoning, when the car is up to operating temperature with a full cooling system, it only blows moderate heat.
