Once you get some pedal after a few pumps, does it feel firm, or is the pedal "spongy"? If there is air trapped somewhere in the system, it will compress as pressure is applied, giving the brake pedal an uncertain feel and poor braking of the vehicle. If the shoes are simply out of adjustment, after pumping the pedal enough to displace fluid and get the shoes firmly against the drums, the pedal will feel solid. The fix for these two problems is different. Try adjusting the brake shoes until it's difficult to turn the wheels- - - -not locked up, but enough that it takes some effort to turn each wheel. Then try the pedal. If it's firm, with little if any travel, you've found the problem. If the pedal still requires a few pumps to keep from going to the floor, there's still some air trapped somewhere.
Jerry
