[ncoonen]

Followup for future thread searchers: a Cardone reman booster #54-73535 solved the problem. Brakes might need some adjustment but the pedal feels pretty good now and you can modulate the brakes to smooth stop. Been a while since I have driven power drum brakes. They have a different feel than modern brakes and I think a majority of the remaining pedal effort would go away if I cleaned and lubed all the linkage bushings! A light touch is all you need.

Thanks oldtruckguys...ned.