So I tried to install my front brake cable today finally but ran into some issues.  I triple-checked to make sure the new is the same length as the old.  But when I install the cable the brake is so tight the wheel is locked... I also installed new brake shoes and am thinking that maybe since they are thicker it is causing a problem.  The routing also seems to be fine because the cable itself has plenty of slack which is why I am confused to how it is too tight. Any ideas?

Yeah, those cable brakes on the old Model T's are a pain.  Oh wait...  is that what you're working on? 

Pics and model/year are always helpful.  First thought is someone moved the arm on the splines at some point.

haha I guess I did forget that this time! Its a 73 DT3 and I will post some pictures in a minute

Here's what it all looks like installed. And I do know the speedo cable is not routed right but it isn't completely installed yet 

As Mark suggested, take the lever/arm of the spline and move by one or two teeth.

I'm assuming that the brake plate, with shoes fitted, moves freely inside the wheel, prior to the fitting of the cable - ie it isn't the shoes themselves causing the problem.

That is what my thought was too but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing some obvious adjustment anywhere else.

here is owner's manual photo...  looks like it might be off a couple teeth on yours. Angle between cable and arm is a little less than 90 degrees in original picture...  yours looks like it's quite a bit less than 90 degrees.

Here's another pic from owner's manual...  might be able to rotate your wheel to same position and use spokes to get it right.

 


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Moving the arm clockwise a notch or two would also seat the end of the outer cable into the slot for it on the brake plate. As of now, it's pictured 3/4" or so short of that slot.

Well after taking the cable on and moving the lever arm back and forth trying to find the right spot I might have set the record for most brake cable installs in one day .  Every tooth either was too tight or too loose.  The one that it is currently on gets it pretty well and I can stop well after giving it a running push but I wouldn't trust it to make a quick stop at a higher speed. I was messing with the barrel adjuster too but it was never enough to make any of the other teeth work.  I might take the hub off tomorrow and make sure the shoes are seated correctly even though I made dang sure they were when I installed them.  I'll post more pictures later but now on to attempting to put new foam and seat cover on!