Cadillac Repair: cadillac repair, comming down, haynes manual

Question
i just bought a 77 coupe deville  v-8 425, for 800$, just to work on , and thats exactly what it needs! my first question is when i am decelerating i can feel something "clanking" and it makes a very disturbing also "clanking noise" i think it's only on the driver side, but i can't be sure, like i said it feels like it's on the driver side, i can feel it. should i take it to a trany shop? if so how do i know if they are bullshiting me? i think it might have something to do with either the tranny or the u joint of the drive train, or drive shaft?or maybe even brakes. also when i shift, the gear indicator won't move from park,any advice on that, the haynes manual does'nt cover that! that was a joke! any ways im a rookie but i can learn i have already done a little bit a radiator  and a fuel pump change. also as far as a regular tune up what else do you suggest, any help will be greatly appreciated, thank you  

Answer
Hi Tony, I did the same thing while in junior college useing a '67 mustang. For 2 years it was an interesting learning experriance. Noises are kind of tough to diagnos in a forum such as this. If you don't know what to do then you are at the mercy of a shop and hope you don't get taken. Ask around and see if someone has a favorite shop and take it there. Ask to be shown the failed part and then you can decide if its a line of bull or not and if you want to do the repair or let the shop do it. I would look at the driveshaft u-joints and the engine and trans mounts...The shift indicator has a small cable comming down that clips on the steering column right below the speedo head...You are right most repair manuals pale in comparison to the GM shop manual. Try ebay or amazon.com for a GM manual. You might get one for $25 or less plus shipping...You might want to check out your local junior college for an auto maintenance class that meets at night or on Saturdays. Then you can get more insight on how to repair things or know when someone is giving you a line of bull. You will also get the opertunity to work on your car with the instructor helping out with questions you might have. What I would do is drive the car and see what shows up that needs repair. Also changeing the engine oil and filter, trans oil and filter along with the differential fluid would be a good place to start. Good luck and have fun with your Caddy. Bill