Installing the front brakes is really quite easy. Take photos and notes as you take things apart. Do not use serrated vise grip pliers to pull the springs as the jaws will leave little nicks in the spring that will weaken it over time. Use smooth jaw pliers wrapped with tape.
Read this thread and all internal links.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279515&highlight=adjust+1940+brakes
It's been a long while but I think this is the procedure i used on front brakes.
1. Turn the oblong adjusters on the bottom so that the 2 dots face inwards toward each other.
2. Turn the top adjusters inward to move the shoes inward away from the drum.
3. Remove wheel bearing grease cap, cotter pin, nut, notched washer, outer bearing and drum should pull off by hand.
4. Unhook one end of the brake shoe tension spring.
5. Remove the big nut on the lower adjusters with the dots and gently tap out the pin from the back. This pin holds the brake shoes in place.
6. Gently pull out the top of the brake shoe from the wheel cylinder and slide out each brake shoes from its little spring spring retainer.
When you install new shoes you will need to do a major brake adjustment.
You don't have to remove the wheel cylinder to install new shoes.
