If you front brakes rattle, it is usually caused by a a stuck puck or piston in your brake assembly. When this happens, the piston does not fully retract at times causing you brake pad or pads to wear excessibly and when the piston finally retracts fully and does not keep constant pressure on your pads you get a rattle. I had this problem on my F-150 and the brake guy solved this by installing steel pucks and lube.
same way you would on any other vehicle
NO it will not.
Where what! What is your question?
sledge hammer last I knew the master cylinder was for the brakes, but the above answer may be adequate for that question.
Yes
NO it will not. The bell housing is different.
Yes but modification will be needed
NO. I had a 96 and it had drum brakes. I believe the rear disk brakes started in 1998 for the Blazers.
possible air in the brake lines.
The Chevy SBC 5.7L 350cid V8 was the standard
5.7 liter vortec.
It just unscrews, It is real tight.