Bought an 87 IROC, and finally got it running today. However, the "BRAKE" light is on, and the pedel feels hard and ineffective. Additionally, it will barely keep the car still at idle in drive. Fluid looks good, vacuum line is hooked up. What should I be looking for?

 

your proportioning valve should have a couple of black rubber caps on it, at the front and back, pull em off and have someone push the pedal and look to see if there is a little rod sticking out the front or rear

 

you may also need a new master cylinder.

 

Well thought I've give an update, cause I hate doing searches and the old thread doesn't show what they found wrong. Found out while starting the bleeding process on the right rear, that there was no fluid whatsoever in the rear brakes. I had my wife push the pedal while I bleed, solid air. Finally, here comes the fluid...flowing nicely, fewer air bubbles, good...then I hear this spraying sound. I looked underneath the car, and brake fluid is dumping from a rusted section of brake line on the left rear. Wife says, "wow, this is a major project car, I think you might be in over your head." Turns out they don't sell replacement brake lines anywhere for these cars. So I'm at a standstill until I figure out how to repair the line. Any ideas??

 

Just get some brake line and a flaring kit...

 

www.inlinetube.com premade brake lines and fuel lines for camaro from them, including stainless steel lines if you pay extra

 

This is so funny because I just had the same issue with the '89 Firebird I just bought. You can get stock brake line from any auto part store. It comes in various lenths and has the fittings attached. You will need a tubing bender. My line diameter was 3/16 in. And the driver side was 30 in and passenger side was 40in. You may want to take the old line with you to compare. That litttle detail caused me an extra trip to the parts store.

Hope this helps.