1933 Fordor brakes "Spongy"

[CTH automotive]

Hi folks!
You have all been such great help with all my other questions so here goes. Just finished a full chassis resto for a customer of mine. Nut and bolt, repaired , replaced, restored everything. I did a Flathead Ted energizer kit on the brakes, new Liners (non woven) turned the front drums. Could not turn the rears as they would not fit the lathe. All new hardware, even new pins on the rods.
Problem is they still feel a bit spongy, and they don't "Lock up" at 25 MPH as I have read they should. I don't have the centalizing tool I have read about, but adjusted them according to the manuals I have. The front rods are adjusted way deep into the clevis's and the adjusters on the backing plates are almost all the way in. I have tweaked and driven several times. So much so that last time after lots of braking the drums were hotter than I was comfortable with. Am I missing something or do these just need to Bed in more to be more grabby? If these were juice brakes I would describe it as I still have a bit of air somewhere in the system.
Sorry so wordy, just trying to give as much info as possible. Thanks as always! JR.