Im probally a bit late to be of any use, but I did my hand brake a few months ago, here are a few useful tips
When you replace your shoes, check the spring bits where the cable goes through, mine were warped so basically when you pulled the hand brake on full nothing would happen on one wheel - assuming allgood, set the shoes about four clicks from the drum, and then operate the handbrake a few times to take up any slack in the cable.
With the handbrake released, look at the "centralising bar". This is at the back of the handbrake, and you will have to take off that heater box which sits over the handbrake (mines a 79). Ok have a look at the bar, the idea is two adjust the two nuts near the brake capliper (At the back of the brake disc cover), such that the equalising bar is central before you pull the cable, and as you pull the cable. I then check that the wheels are both locked at say 4-5 clicks, and at 2-3 clicks feels about the same (turn the wheel).
I spent probally 10 hours adusting those damn cables, i even put it all back together a few times and still no good, i finally found that those little springy things (sorry not vey techincal) where the cable goes through to "pull" on the shoes, were quite unserviceable. When I replaced those (I repaired em actually), then the handbrake worked properly staright away, so to cut along story short, if your having trouble getting the balance right, after trying everything - i.e one wheel is locked and one is slack, or the wheels locks and when you release the cable still feels tight, then this is probally where the problem is (assuming the cables are good).
Hope that makes some sense
Luke
