The local NAPA shop here has been a real life saver. I walk in with something new & insane every week and they have always been able to get what I need or help me find who has it.
I'm not writing off the other chains tho, while it is typical for them to be manned by people who only know about thier own car (& not much at that), there's usualy a person or two with a clue and an appreciation for old rigs. Professional & motivated employees make all the difference in the world.
As for the shoes tho, you'll most likely have to have your shoes relined. Not a real complicated proceedure, but you'll have to search around for a place that does them.
Start at the local tractor & heavy equipment shops, lots of folks still running old rigs & machinery that they dont make parts for, so they would have the best info on who does relining.
Also a good source of parts and the like are the heavy truck shops that deal with a wide range of makes. I took my driveshaft parking brake shoes into the local Motor Parts shop and they didn't even blink when I asked to have them relined. lots & lots of old farm trucks in this valley!
