My brakes just got real mushy.  When you step on the brake peddle there is a whooshing sound.  The retired mechanic at the end of the street checked it and said it was the power brake booster that had a vaccuum leak in it.  No air came out of the lines when I tried to bleed the brakes again.  (Sarge and Jim did an excellant job on the lines in PF) 

I see a power booster in the Mid America catalog.  What is the difference between the repo ($199.00) and the GM ($329.00).  Also where could I get a cromed unit?  I'm trying to upgrade with every repair.  I don't want to do it twice.

The "whoosing" sound could very well be the booster, or the check valve on the vac. line to the booster. In most cases, tho, a leaking booster will make the pedal harder, not mooshy.

If you bled the lines, and no air came out, I would think the problem would be in the master cyl. As we all know, "new" don't mean squat!

You might also have a rubber line that is expanding under pressure, and causing the soft pedal feel.

Don't know about a chrome booster, but I'm sure someone, somewhere offers them! The diff. between GM and repro? Looks like about $130!!

I don't know if this makes any difference but the mechanic pulled the vaccuum line off the booster and put his thumb over it.  Plugged in or without thumb sealing the vaccuum the idle was rougher--he pointed out that you could see the air cleaner shaking more.  With his thumb on the vaccuum line the idle--the shaking--smoothed out. 

So no real difference in performance between the repo and the GM?

I will ask the obvious, when you rebuilt your brakes, did you bleed the Master Cylinder once you had everything back in place? If not, the brakes could feel mushy, but you might not get bubbles out of the lines at the calipers. The bubbles get trapped in the Master Cylinder and can cause the brakes to feel mushy.

It shore sounds like the booster has a ruptured diaphram. I still don't think that would cause the mooshy pedal. Maybe Jim or Sarge put a time released "air" capsule in there while installing it in the parking lot!!(ya just cain't git good help no mo!! )
I would replace the master while doing the booster, or at least have one on hand, just in case. Adams' Apple38938.7659722222

I knew this would end up being my fault somehow....

[QUOTE=JimG]I knew this would end up being my fault somehow.... [/QUOTE]

I think as long as you pay him back.. all will be forgiven...