You're missing a few pieces of linkage. Your choke flap rod and the choke pulloff rod are missing. I also see a hot air coil on the manifold. Got a hodge podge goin there.
The book I have that has the large note about checking endplay is a500se/42re
Book. Its dated 1/9/08. I also have one dated 1/1/2000 for the 42rh(a500)
46rh(a518) and 47rh(a618) that does not mention that at all. All it says is check endplay before dissasembly for reference.
Hopefully that info helps before he pulls out all his hair. I've built quite a few 700r4/4l60 but this is only my second chrysler trans so im quite intimate with the book.