Classic/Antique Car Repair: Soft Brakes: No Boost, or Air in Lines?, robert haworth, studebaker champion

Question
Just had entire braking system on my '50 Studebaker Champion coupe replaced -- whl cyls., M/Cyl, lines, shoes, hoses, everything. Brakes need double-pumping before they are effective. Shop told me this is normal due to (as-orig.) absence of a brake booster in the system. I can't believe that -- gotta be residual air in lines due to insuff. bleeding, and/or shoes adjusted too slack, right? Thx for your help!  Robert Haworth

Answer
You are right, the pedal should be right there and not require double pumping. Two things can cause the problem, one being air in the lines and the other the brake shoes could be miss adjusted. This model car used very early form of self adjusting brakes. There is a procedure used to set the adjusters so that they will work right. The adjuster is only on one shoe on each wheel. The adjuster shoe should be he forward shoe.