engine and drivetrain break booster help

[Guest gliding_serpent]

I am running off of second hand info but during the restoration of my 73 Tii I was told that:

"In prepping the car for further engine bay cleaning and

painting we discovered that the brake vacuum boaster was full of brake

fluid. This of course tells us that the master cylinder was by passing

and requires replacing - the vacuum boaster will have to be replaced as well. "

I am madly learning what I can on the subject (I have the factory manual), including false economy on rebuilding brake master cylinders, and NLA break boosters. Sounds to me like the fluid casing may be rusted. Still, I would appreciate opinions from some people who have been down this road before... including testing procedures for the break booster if things don't sound too far gone (the engine is out for a rebuild). I was surprised as the brakes felt fine to me prior to the restoration. What would one expect to feel If I was indeed driving with this issue?

Thanks far any help.

[c.d.iesel]

clean out the booster as outlined just a few days back

another thread here

perhaps the fluid is from a prior leaking master

cylinder but no one cleaned it out? which might

be why you had 'good' brakes before?

do not rebuild the master cylinder.

it's your life, it's an old part, new part is cheep,

do you want to re-do the labor when your 'rebuild

fails?

clean the booster and if the inside of the drum

is not rusty - reinstall

[PaulTWinterton]

c.d. I'm glad you said that about replacing the MC. "It's your life...". I've just removed mine and I'm replacing with new, but I was thinking what a waste (and extravagence) to throw away a perfectly good MC that most likely only needs seals. I say to myself "A real car guy would fix it instead of replacing it".

But you're right and now I won't feel bad throwing it into the scrap metal bin.

Cheers.

[Guest gliding_serpent]

My mantra is replace with new, keep the old for a rebuild and spare.