I would suggest u get someone who knows about auto repair to help u. Or better still, find a mechanic.

U say u r a novice mechanic. U may be better off getting someone who is familiar with car repair to help u. U may end up doing more damage trying to fix, what could be, a small problem.

I say this because there is a vacuum tube that runs from the vacuum pump to the master brake cylinder, that can be brittle with age. U may also knock loose some other hoses and then the problem could be even harder to solve, from here.

For now, get someone to help u.