So I bought another set of shoes locally. I set the adjuster just
slack then measured
to outside of each set of shoes, one set mounted at each wheel.
New shoes 245 mm, GW shoes 250 mm. ID of new drum is 252 mm.

When first measuring the GW shoes, the lower tangs appeared longer than
same on old shoes. Manufacturer made them this way to help initial wear pattern?
(i.e. made tangs longer similar to one adding shims?) My next attempt
at measuring
seemed to confirm this. I clamped each pair to a new
drum, butted the lowers ends together, measured distance from mid point at
each upper tang of shoe. That tang on each was the same width at end.
GW: 133 mm image: http://tinyurl.com/h4sac7l
new shoes: 143 mm. Image: http://tinyurl.com/haq5b2s

Shoe lining thickness in each shoe brand: 6 mm.
Difference in shoe bracket thickness: slightly less than 1 mm.
E brake lever on new set of shoes is thicker. The fork on adjuster fits
with less play.

Holding the new shoes to drum, they fit well but sit a hair high at middle.
Pushing by hand takes out this play.

I bought the GW shoes over a year ago. Maybe they changed brands since then.
Maybe they're best suited to worn drums? (most owners typically
replace only the shoes?)

googling new shoe number BS503L shows Dura International brand.
If they wear mostly at upper half initially, thats fine.
I'm hoping the new shoes don't drag.

On a side note, was disappointed to see my new backplate plug damaged
by lip of new drum.  Image:  http://tinyurl.com/hfzzym8
This damage happened at each wheel. I don't know the brand of drum.

Neil.

On Wednesday, May 25, 2016, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> I cleaned the slots at wheel cylinder pistons and anchors then set top end
> of
> each new and old set of shoes at nearly the same point at
> wheel cylinder piston. Image: http://tinyurl.com/hlr335n
>