727 doesn't shift into second gear like it should

You also have an unknown vb. It affects the bands, servos, etc. One ball wrong place, or wrong size....

I would buy a new kit for vb, start over, to eliminate that unknown .

Buddy just had one done by Turbo A, Paul said the front was 2 turns, to wear in; check it for 2 1/2 after 500 miles. And I seem to remember that it was a 4... . strut

Lay on your back, get tf in your eyes, juke that parking rod out; not so bad as to have to pull the trans.