Drum brakes on my 65 Corvair

[PhillipM]

Okay, I have been playing with this problem for a few days and could use a little direction. This car is just a toy and I don't really want to dump a bunch of money into it. The car has four wheel drums and a single master. The brake pedal feels extremly stiff, as in it has no throw before it stops, maybe a half inch of movement. Then during driving the second I hit the brakes the front left locks up. So I blocked off that line and tried driving it again... the right rear locks up instantly.

Here is what I'm thinking... I have taken one wheel cylinder apart because the guy I bought it from tried to go through the brakes and so all the parts are new! but on the left rear he missed the shoe with the piston so it was not even working. Do you guys think that it sounds like the other wheel cylinders could be screwed up and that would explain the zero throw on the brake pedal?? Or could it be the shoes or brake lines that cause these wheels to lock up instantly and slide the car??
Thanks. Phillip

[andrewb70]

I would go through all 4 corners and make sure everything is installed properly.

Andrew

[PhillipM]

Yeah, I think that is what I'm gunna do tonight. I let ya know what happens.

[PhillipM]

Well after rebuilding the wheel cylinders and turning the drums and putting new shoes on, the brakes are now fixed!