She sat for 5 years untouched. I bought her and had her towed home. The driver put her in the dirt just off the driveway. There was no way I was going to jack her up in the air with that under her. Heck I'd had been squished. So I did full tune up. Still needing the timing set. She's running pretty good. So I started her up put her in reverse. By the time I got her to stop, I was half way out into the street. (Glad no one was coming down the street!) I put her in to drive. The idle was a bit high. She took off like a bat out of hell! I dropped her into neutral, stomped on the brake, then stomped on the E-brake. Finally she stooped. I almost ran into my bedroom. (French doors.) What hell that would have been. I'm removing all of the chrome and plastic. Sand blasting will be the next big thing But right now it's the brakes. I used to work for a place called Brake Check. You would think that I knew brakes. Well I do. But it's like doing them for the first time. I think I'll do the vacuum and speed bleeders. The master cylinder is covered with rust on the outside. But that don't mean a thing. The rear fluid reserve was empty. So I gave it a drink. I have to wait till the 3rd of the month till I get what I need to fix the brakes.I just need her to pass inspection for right now. Just let me have that little sticker. The E-brake wasn't working right. I saw that it needed a spring to make it pull on the release. There are a set of teeth that make that noise when you step on the pedal. That was all rusty. I poured power steering fluid on it and after a few pumps it all started working. I stole the spring from a cheep pair of vice grips. Wow! This thread has gotten longer that I though it would. I'll be back and let you in on how the brake job went. Heck I cut a drum down the middle one time. I'll tell you about that latter.

Look Just take pictures, Pictures will tell Us everything we need to know
Sounds like you are having a great time with HER :texas:

Reservoir empty= leak in a line, rear wheel cylinder, or from caliper seals, etc Lines are likely rusted pretty bad if everything else is rusty. You will have to get under it with a full master cylinder, and look for leaks. You may end up with a set of new lines, to get it reliable, like a set from inlinetube.com for instance. Fixing one line at a time will keep you busy if they are all rusty.

Sitting for 5 years isn't a good thing. I've come to the conclusion that vehicles untouched for years is just as hard on them as driving them. Think of all the rubber seals in the master cylinder, rear brake cylinders, and calipers that have likely stuck in their cylinders. When you go using those items now, they'll tend to stretch and/or tear as they break loose. If they didn't stick, then they have likley hardened and not providing a good seal. And how about rust in rear cylinders and caliper pistons bores? And as mentioned above, how about brake lines that have possibly rusted through. These older vehicles with conventional braking systems really aren't that expensive to replace now days, if you're willing to do the labor yourself. I used to rebuild my own rear brake cylinders with a $6 kit. When you can buy a whole new cylinder with lifetime warranty for $12 a side, its simply a no brainer. Then you don't have to worry if you have the right size brake hone, if that pitting in the cylinder is going to affect the longevity of the brake job. This is brakes you're talking about. Equal to your life or someone else's. Nike shoes says it best. JUST DO IT !!! Thoroughly inspect your metal brake lines, and replace all the rubber parts associated with your brakes.

Brakes first. Then steering.

You are right about checking the brakes from end to end. All that go just isn't any fun if you can't stop where you want. I hope it isn't too bad. Being on disability makes the money flow small.