Help with my brakes!!

[54olds]

I have a '54 Olds 88 2 door with the 327 engine and power assisted brakes. I just purchased the car about a week ago, and the previous owner indicated there was problems with the brake system.

I noticed upon checking the brake fluid level that it was low, so I topped it off and started up the car. The brake pedal does not always spring back like it should and sometimes the pedal would remain close to the floor and not return to where it should be. On top of that, the brakes did a pretty poor job of stopping the car (the previous owner had put on new brake shoes and bled the system previously.)

I was working the pedal up and down about 8 or 9 times trying to loosen it up when the engine suddenly sputtered and smoke started coming out of the tailpipe. I noticed after I shut if off that the master cylinder was now leaking brake fluid. After re-starting the car and letting it run, the smoking eventually stopped.

Question: why was it smoking out of the tailpipe, and was the sticking pedal a sign that the master cylinder was getting ready to go out? If that's what it is, can your average repair shop rebuild the MS or will I have to special order something in?

Thanks for any help!

-Kevin

[ozoneblue]

Kevin , This is not something your average shop will want to do,Although its not that difficult, Hardest part is removing & re installing,Your fluid must have gotten in & through the booster,I ordered my parts through Kanter.To do this job Remove carpet pad ect & swing pedal assembly ,Unplug brake light switch,remove floor pan cover bolts,Disconnect brake line & remove unit.When ordering parts get master CYL & booster kit.Look on your CYL it should say Treadlevac. ps send some pics of your 54 . Ours was our avitar Larry Henry vintageozarks.com

[54olds]

Thanks. The smoke unnerved me - for a sec, I thought I'd blown a head gasket

Here's a pic - It's currently primer grey. I plan on painting it soon.

[54olds]

I did a quick search through Kanter and found the master cylinder rebuild kit, but did not see anything for rebuilding the booster.

Are these parts included in the master cylinder rebuild kit, or are the separate?

[ozoneblue]

I Will look up my tickets & let you Know,I Know it all came at the same time,Not much to them. Larry

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by 54olds

I have a '54 Olds 88 2 door with the 327 engine

Unless the car has had an engine swap, that should be a 324, not a 327.

[54olds]

Oops - my mistake. I got a little sloppy with the keyboard!