Brakes are busting my chops! New shoes, turned drums ,re-built wheel cylinders, master cylinder, bled the lines, adjusted shoes up to tight then followed service manual and backed off 12 clicks.
Backed out of the garage and couldn't get the brakes to work at all like they should. Suggestions?

Been thinking about this all day. Seem to remember back when I was doing shade tree mechanics (40+ years ago) when adjusting brakes, one would snug the brake up then back the star wheel down about three clicks. I'm thinking the recommendation in the service manual of backing 12 clicks is excessive and the reason I'm not getting braking.

Gemmer,

Just get them snug. I make sure mine "catch" just a little so they are a little hard to turn. You do not want them to spin freely without hearing the drum grab or rub on the brake shoe. I've never backed my brakes off.

Andy

Truckie,
Thanks! I knew backing off 12 clicks just had to be wrong. I'll jack her up tomorrow and re-adjust.
On another topic, I find it difficult to get a timing light aimed down for a reading so I can retard the spark. Really cramped space! Additionally, have to reach across the engine to turn the distributor. Two man job to do all of this and tighten the distributor.