Yeah more than often it's small problems leading to big breaks...
Well I can't really say... Most people would say manuals are easier to work with and I do understand why because it's all mechanical... Auto trannys have a lot of electrics also and more than often it's the electrics causing problems and then it makes a mechanical fault.
In my opinion I'd say for me automatics are easier because I started working on them first. But they are trickier. you have to have the right spacing in your clutch stacks, thrust washers have to be placed the right way around, the valve-bodies can sometimes be a nightmare to work on. All in all you don't build a automatic and fit it expecting it to be working 100% there is always something more hidden. Oh and if it's a CVT you are planning on opening, before you close it back up prime the pump. 😄 Always prime the pump