Thanks - just got in from the barn after successfully removing the drum! I managed, as you said, to drive the wheel cylinder down and free of the shoes. I guess that gave me the fraction I needed to get them clear of the ridge line and off with the drum. Also, as Eureka Jim mentioned, the pinions are/were delicate as I found them in the bottom of the drum where it appeared they had been for some time.
The wheel cylinders were seized up real good and it was obvious the shoes had never been arced to the drum. Maybe I'll drill some conventional access holes with rubber plugs to adjust the replacement set up.
Thank you again for the advice guys - time for a beer and on to drum number two...
