Brake question

On my 76 I've got disc from and rear drums. I noticed that I started losing pressure and the pedal is going to the floor. I suspected a master cylinder leak and when I went to have the car checked out they confirmed it. The master cyl has been R&R, but the problem is persisting. I'm pretty sure it's my rear brakes and that a cylinder has gone bad. I've tried looking for wheel cylinders online and can't seem to find any for c3's.

Did c3 vettes use something else and I'm completely missing my mark?

You got a '76 vette w/ rear drums? The brakes on all vettes since '63 are 4 wheel disc w/ rear drum ''e'' brakes that are cable operated. The 4 piston calipers are well know for pitting and leaking. Don't bother rebuilding them, they need to be sleeved w/ stainless inserts. I went to Muskegon brake .com for my '77 vette and the price w/core  exchange  has not changed much in 20 yrs. A extra to do is to flush the DOT 3 brake fluid and go to DOT5 which is silicone base that doesn't absorb moisture.

Hi Rickcusaf, YANKEECORVETTE is correct we have 4 wheel disc brakes on our cars and a drum is built into the rotor for the parking brakes.
You said you changed the M/C but the problem is persisting do you mean the brakes were ok after the R&R but they are low again? PG.

The pitting problem on Corvette disc brakes created a cottage industry for putting stainless steel liners in to prevent future problems.  Corvettes that sit for extended periods or are driven in the rust belt are particularly prone to this problem.
 
It's an easy change out and as Corvette repairs go, relatively inexpensive.  Suggest while you're at it, replace the brake hoses with the stainless braided lines which will firm up the pedal.  Always use new copper crush washers where the hose connects to the front calipers.
 
I agree with everything YankeeCorvette said except (a little nitpick here) disc brakes actually became available in 1965 and were a delete option ($64.50 credit) if you wanted drums.  There were actually a few that were ordered with drums.

 You're right they are disc.

I was looking at the http://www.muskegonbrake.com brake site and am having trouble figuring out which set is right for me. I want stainless steel calipers w/ pads, but I don't need the master cylinder and I don't need them powder coated. I also want the stainless braided lines.

Hi again, you can get stainless steel sleeved calipers from auto-zone with a lifetime warranty, and you will save on shipping. PG.

 Hiya pg. I saw their parts list and they have a couple brands. What would you recommend? Brakes is an area I don't know much about.

Hey Rick, our brakes are about as easy as they get. I did mine about four years ago with over the counter parts from the discount auto store. Replaced master, rear calipers, all rubber lines and the steel lines across the rear. Gutted the parking brakes except the cables. I haven't had a single issue with them since.

Hi again, I just told them calipers for a 74 Vette and they had them is stock, had 2 leaks in 8 years and got a free replacement and free pads both times.
I have purchased a power steering valve from VB&P they took 120 days to credit my core deposit. Plus I had to pay shipping.
All the auto stores have a TECH # to call if you want to know what brand they carry. PG.

since you are talking about brakes...
 
I have to replace my brake pads. what do you suggest without spending lot of $$$ . Organic, ferro-carbon...
 
I can't check now what brake pads are now on my car ( rear brakes making noise now) but the PO did a good job : no leakage at calipers and rubber lines replaced with steel

Unless you are planning on a lot of autobahn trips or road racing, I'd stay away from ceramic or carbon pads as they have to be hot to be effective.  I would recommend a good quality, low dust, non-squeal pad if you can find one.

    Even new mini-vans come w/ ceramic pads now, and they're available f/ almost any vehicle at the auto parts store.  The ceramic pads aren't all race-type anymore.  They're street applicable and don't need to warm up prior to becoming effective.  And the ceramic pads are the cheapest way to get significantly better braking w/ your stock system.  You can actually feel the difference.

I learn something new everyday. 
 
Is that what they did to cut down on the brake dust?

   I'm not up on the amount of dust that the ceramic pads create.  My brother brought me up to speed on the pads, as he has them on his vehicles, Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Quest Van, Toyota Corolla.   
  
   I find that it's hard as heck to keep up on all the new auto technology unless I do a heck of alot of reading of the monthly car magazines, and the race-type car magazines are more relative now than ever as race car technology is constantly and rapidly being transfered over to street cars, not just through after-market companies, but now through the manufacturers as well.  The new Corvette is a good example of race tech used by the manufacturer for a street car, and for an affordable price, considering the class of car and the level of performance.