i jstu bought a 72 malibu, and am restoring it. While starting it, i pushed the brakes, it worked fine. Then i let go, and pushed again, and nothing! Now there seems to be zero brakes at all, the pedal just sloshes to the back wiht nothing. I asume thers no pressure in the brakes or somthing. What is wrong, how do i find it, and and how do i fix it? thanks a lot

Look for fluid leaking out of one of the wheels.
The wheel will be wet on the back side. Also check for fluid leaking under master cylinder. If none of the above it probably is a seal in the master cylinder. hope this helps.
Rob

hey, i have fluid dripping ot of the rear wheel, what should i check for? I opened the drum but couldn't find anything. Also, i haven't loss brakes, they still work.

If you can pump up the brakes with repeated pumping of the pedal, then you have the classic signs of a worn out master cylinder. Just a bit of advice here, but in these old cars you should set aside some$$$ to replace everything in the brakes before you drive it on the road. New linings, rebuilt master and wheel cylinders and hoses, too. I know it sounds like a lot of $$, but what does it cost for front end sheet metal and insurance?

Like JWagner said if you can pump the pedal and it gets hard, you have a master going bad. If you have fluid leaking from wheel check the wheel cylinder. Pull the boot back and look for fluid.You said you had no brakes in the first post. So do you or don't you have brakes? :confused: The fluid might also be gear oil from the axle seal.If you removed the drum and it was dry check the brake line going to the wheel cylinder.
Rob