All went well, Chaz was here until after 2 AM, so I finished it up today (just put all back together).
Getting the gasket on the side oil pan can be a bit tricky, but on the Duke things are actually quite accessible.
Stalling issue is gone and shifts nicely again.
However, new symptom showed up - intermittent stuttering while driving.
Chaz came over again to help Shanine and he has an eye for this, he found cause and affect - Yeah!
PCV valve was leaking oil from the valve cover down into the spark plug well of cylinder #2, which was causing it to arc!
All good again (for now)
\D