I installed self-adjusting brakes on the rear of mine(I have disc on the front).I purchased the following parts from Napa.UP 80691,Up 80692, and Up 80509.The first 2 are the self-adjuster kits which gives cable,guide,lever and a new star wheel adjuster.The 80509 is a 2 pack of return springs for the lever.Remove the existing lower spring and adjuster.At the top remove the "diamond" shape piece that sits behind the return springs.The ëye"on the end of the cable will replace that piece.Install the cable eye and face the cable towards the rear shoe.Install the guide in the same hole the return spring hooks into on the shoe.The lever goes in the round opening on the rear shoe at the bottom and the spring hooks into the front shoe and then hooks onto the lever.The cable goes arond the guide and hooks into the lever when you tip it up with a screw driver against spring tension.The star wheel sits in front of the original opening in the backing plate on the right side and on the left I created a new opening with a drill and flat file.The adjuster kits include new rubber plugs.The brakes adjust when the car is reversed only.Works great.No more manual adjusting.If you want to do the fronts you will need these 2 kits plus another 2 pack of springs(Up80509).Adjuster kits are Up80695 and Up80696.I dont know what is different about the front and rear kits but the fronts are brake shoe #263 which are used on the rear of a 1970 Ford Custom 500 and the rear shoes on 55-56 Ford are #55 which are used on the front of a 64 F100.As with the rear kits the cables loop around the rear facing shoe and will adjust when the vehicle is reversed and the shoes wear to the point that the cable is pulled by the shoes and raises the lever to turn the star wheel adjuster.You will likely have to create a new opening on the left front backing plate to be able to manually turn the adjuster in and make the shoe size smaller if you were unable to get the drum off later.Simply locate where the "star" lines up with on the backing plate and drill 3 holes close together and the open them up to create one opening.Use a file to shape and install a new rubber plug from the kit.
Just a note-55-56 Ford car(not wagon or S/D) and 55-57 T-Bird use the same shoes .These adjuster kits can also be used on the 55-57 Birds.