Andy, here's my next step. Attached is a pic of my slotted rod and PB lever. As you can see they are the same as the ones you posted. I have posted a second pic which shows the lever and rod installed and with the brake cable fully released. at this point the slotted rod just barely engages the rod (arrow). The slot in the rod is 5/8" deep. I also measured the distance from the lever to the backing plate at the axle. It is 1". This should mean that if the slot is 5/8" deep and the distance between the lever and the backing plate in 1" when the PB cable is pulled tight the brake shoe should engage the drum but it does not! Hmmm?????? The new 'original' style PB cable I ordered from Jim Carter should be here early next week. I'll see if that make any difference.
