Brake pedal is slow to return

[Wisconsin_Snake]

After hooking up the brakes and finally taking the car for it's first drive, I realized that after I pressed the brake pedal. It was slow to return to it's extended position.
What would cause this?
I take it that the pedal should not have a spring to assist it returning.
The engine is a stock FI Ford 302so the vacuum should be there.

[MaSnaka]

I use a return spring but just to insure my pedal is making good contact on the brake light switch. It would not always turn off the brake lights when released. I did have to replace the master cylinder so maybe the bad MC was part to blame??? IDK. BTW I don't have a vacuum assist.

John

[okiedokie]

I had the same problem even after replacing the MC. Right or wrong, I now use return spring .

[C5GTO]

Like the others have said, I installed a return spring just to make sure the brake light switch is turned off. The first spring I installed wasn't strong enough and the brake lights stayed on for a whole day after driving to work.

So I replaced it with a bigger spring. So far, so good.

[ACademic]

Does it also do this with engine off? If so then probably a bad booster. The diaphragm may be leaking and allowing vacuum on both sides of the booster, thus the slow pedal return. Bleed them good first just to eliminate air in the lines before you start throwing parts at the problem.