New 1964 owner with many questions

I recently did a lot of this stuff so I'll comment on what I did and what I would do if I did it over.

1) No power drum brakes are fine, I would avoid rush hour but they are plenty for a cruiser. The 9" brakes will lock up the stock size tire so there is that to consider. I would only upgrade that if I wanted bigger tires/wheels. Something I did do was upgrade to the 67 or 68 (can't remember year) brake hardware and matching shoes. The newer design is less likely to rust up and cause adjuster problems. I also used finned drums from a 70's a body that are a direct replacement but should start brake fade later as they cool better.

2)I bought steel brake lines from Inline tube, they had a sale at Xmas time last year but I forgot what I paid. They ship bent in half in a few places with instructions to bend them back out to proper dimensions. Overall a good product (upgrade to a dual master) but I would likely buy the tool and do it myself next time, it was still hard to get prebent tube over to pass side brake.

3)Trim you need to keep an eye out on used stuff or restore what you got.

4)I rebuilt my distributor (fairly easy if you don't need to replace bushings). The rock solid option is convert to HEI with electronic dist and GM branded modules, but I chose to go Pertronix 2, as it was cheap and used my current dist. Also looks 100% stock if that matters to you. HEI needs room on a fender or on the firewall.

5) I bought a TTI exhaust for slants and wouldn't do it again. Fitment wasn't great and needed dents and still doesn't have great ground clearance. I was told it was designed for a 67 up a body. If I did it over I would have a local exhaust shop bend me up a whole set and I am sure it would be a neater job.