My automobile, a 1968 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham was recently brought
in for repairs for the following:
Starter replaced.
Extracted and replaced leaking freeze plugs in cylinder heads (side
rear, each side)
Removed and cleaned valve covers, replaced gaskets and reassembled.
Automatic transmission service, including remove tranny oil pan,
adjust clutches, drain torque converter, flush cooler lines,
removed, diassembled and resealed power steering gear. Reassembled.
Front brakes redone, adjusted.
Rear brakes, cleaned adjusted.

I have no automotive mechanical experience, but the concepts aren't
unfathomable to me. Keeping this in mind - My question is two part -

First, I noted the speedometer no longer functions could any of the
procedures listed above affect this device.

Second, I shelled out about $1300 bux (1000 labor 300 parts) for this,
does this seem outlandish for the work that was done.

Thanks

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Clarification of Question by ptmang-ga on 23 Mar 2004 09:34 PST

I'll also throw a few extra bucks in if the procedure to repair the
speedometer can be outlined to me, so I could do it myself, or at
least know what the heck I'm talking about if I have to get this fixed
by someone else.

ptmang:

The speedometer is driven by a rotary cable linked to your
transmission (it measures rotation of the output side of the tranny).
During the servicing of the transmission, it is possible that the
speedo cable was not properly reinstalled.

Unfortunately, I do not have access to a '68 Caddy to advise you on
the proper steps to take to rectify this. However, as it is highly
likely that this is the result of the mechanic not completing their
work properly, I personally would say that the mechanic should
investigate and fix this for you without additional charge, unless he
can prove to you that something broke beyond the scope of his original
work.

As for the price: the cost of the parts is a little bit on the high
end of the range, but still understandable for a '68 model year
vehicle. The labor implies that there was about 16-20 hours of work
put into this by the mechanic; again, on the high side, but still
within an understandable range.

The cost doesn't seem out of line to me.  You could get under the car
and see if the speedometer cable is hanging loose.  Maybe the mechanic
disconnected it from the transmission and failed to reconnect it.

Thanks for the info...I guess I'll go off of this.