[Rickchevy56]

Hi Guys and Gals
Just a couple questions.
1. I have been having a braking problem with my '56 Chevy wagon the past 4 months and I plan on bringing it to a different mechanic and since I've found that even good experienced mechanics sometimes just don't know what's going on with an older car, I'll ask some of you guys for some advice.

First of all 2 years ago the left (driver) front wheel started having a off/on scraping sound. My mechanic did a preliminary check, jacked it up without taking off the wheel drum, and said he thought the brakes which I just put on 2 years before was cracked. Before he had time to work on it the sound stopped and I went back to driving it about once every 10 day a few miles. My mechanic then went out of business.
The last 4 months when I would brake from a cold start the car would pull to the left; I checked all 4 wheels and did not see any sign of brake cylinder leakage. The brakes did not feel spongy or have that stepping on a plum feeling.I found that stopping a few times at low speed would bring up full braking power. I did find that the master brake cylinder reservoir; a single master cylinder was down 3/4 inch and refilled it. It seemed to work fine a couple times then went back the same thing. The master brake cylinder reservoir was still full. A couple times when I braked harder at 35 mph the left front wheel would lock up. I have'nt been driving it since.
Any ideas?

2. What is the approximate cost in parts to convert to a double master cylinder system in a '56 Chev wagon and a '64 Impala and the # of mechanic hours? What is a good long lasting brand for a new master cylinder?

Thanks
Rick