<VV> Brake questions ~ master cylinder?

[chaz at properproper.com]

This just happened on my '65 Monza, and it could likely be the master
cylinder, which is a 10  minute job (bleeding is longer, and very
important), and under $20 (on mine) at AutoZone.

Charlie

-----Original Message-----
From: judynrandy at comcast.net 
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org 
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 12:52:39 PM 
Subject: Re: Brake questions 

I have a couple of brake questions.  Firstly, does anyone know the size
of the "clutchhead" bolts attaching the front wheel cylinders on a '60? 
Secondly, In an unrelated issue, I need a confirmation.   The brakes on
the said '60 acted very strangely yesterday.  Since getting the car on
the road over 4,000 miles ago, the brakes have worked flawlessly. 
Until yesterday, that is.  I was approaching a stop light.  I applied
the pedal like usual.  It went about half way down before getting
resistance.  As I kept pushing it, not much happened.  I really had to
stand on it to get the car to stop, which it did thankfully. (Phew! 
There is a God in heaven and He answers prayers!)  I drove much slower
and used the gears to slow down a lot more.  Made it home without
mishap.  Now, the question is: Is this the master cylinder?  As I
shakily drove home, I pondered all the 'what ifs'.  It's a single master
cylinder.  The car was running and driving when I got it.  So I
thoroughly inspected the brake system and only fixed what was broken to
get it on the road.  I had to replace the pass. side rear rubber brake
hose.  Everything else worked ok.  If I had blown a brake line or wheel
cylinder, the pedal would have gone to the floor instantly.  It didn't. 
If I had another rubber brake hose collapse like the first one I
replaced, it would have pulled to one side.  It didn't.  Low brake fluid
in the master cylinder could have caused this issue, but it was full. 
Anyway, anyone ever have anything like this happen to them?  Thoughts
and opinions welcome. 
  
Randy(Cap'n)Hook 
'60 700 4dr '64'110/4spd 
'63 '500' ragtop 110/pg 
'65 Monza 4dr. 84/pg