HandyAndy, thanks for hanging in there to help. Here are answers to your questions:
1) Don't remember.
2) Don't know. Unfortunately once I installed the new shoes I tossed the old ones without checking. Won't do that again.
3) Yes
4) Same answer as #2
5) Yes
With reference to your pic - this is exactly what my brakes look like. From my way of thinking if the slot in the rod was shorter, the lever would engage the rod sooner hereby pushing the front shoe forward to contact the drum before the lever hits the axle on the backing plate.
