Thanks for the advice gentlemen. It always helps to follow the path blazed by those ahead of you.

I will let the motor set up with some mystery oil for a few days while I work the drum over. I have a feeling it is not going to be ugly and should turn with the half inch breaker bar. If not, well....

I have the brake adjusting tool, so I think I might get the adjuster to back off, and hopefully the shoes will retract. I will also try backing out the slave cylinder next. I have been planing on changing to disc brakes anyway, so if the drum gets a bit beat up, well, tough beans.

Speaking of which, I have seen a lot of brake conversions for 5 lug wheels, but, nothing obvious for the 8 lugs. Any suggestions on who might have a kit that would work on this jewel?

\'59 Chevy 1-ton
'72 c-10 (in progress)
The Great Rust(less) Mountain
\'47 Jeep cj2a