When installing new or relined shoes, you should have the shoes arced to the individual drums to ensure maximum contact. Otherwise, you will have to wear them in, which can take a while. As long as your pedal does not depress too much, you have them adjusted properly.
On my '42, the first time I had to stop at a stoplight at the bottom of a hill in downtown Prescott, I thought I would roll right through the intersection, despite standing on the pedal. Now I can lock the wheels up if need be without undue effort. Much later on my '37, I had the shoes arced and out of the gate they respond great.
Kent
