Andy, If your fuel filter is a metal one and it's sitting on top of the valve cover behind the upper radiator hose, you may have had a vapor lock. About the time it took to get where you were going the fuel starter to boil. Probably move the filter away fro
m there and put it closer to the carb will solve that problem.
As far as the brakes, evryone above gave good advise,they may just need an adjustment.
It is always an adventure when you go somewhere in an old car/truck,people love them and don't see many running loose.
I'll send you a pm, I'm in metairie across the big pond.
