Hand lever operates a rod to a bell crank which pulls a cable which runs thru a pulley to a pivot bar which pulls on two "L" brackets with threaded cable ends held to the "L" bar with nuts to adjust length of cable. Be sure it's all original stock hardware first. Then adjust threaded ends to shorten cables. The other area is inside the drum, that could be installed wrong, broken, etc. E-Brake cable pulls on rear shoe only. Has there been anything done recently? Was this working before?
Above is 55.2-59 info, your 49 is probably similar.
If shoes are adjusted and inner E cable is tight, there is enough "throw" in the pull lever to actuate a stock rear shoe/mechanism.
I guess it seems like I'm talking down to you now that I see your background. Not meant to. I hope the NEW cables are correct. Doesn't sound like they are!!!!
As Tnix said, they should not "almost" lock up, they should lock up tight.
