Brake issue (i think)

Series is a bit down on power and runs a bit hot (between N and the red) on motorway stretches.

Retarded the fuel pump slightly which gave me more power around town but still speed was maxing out around 50 on the flat ( ive had it to 70 before last year), engine is 2.5 n/a

Also
After the run the drums were very hot to the touch and havent been doing heavy braking and the pedal started out with quite a bit of travel but afterwards only had about 5mm of travel

So im guessing the issue is with the brakes binding but what causes the pedal to change? As its like somethings pushing the brakes on slightly or is it just a case of adjusting the shoes?

Reason i think brakes causing the issue is if theyre binding engine is under more load = running hotter

Have you checked the master cylinder push rod clearance ?

No, my setup is slightly different as its servo so has the defender setup. I took the play out of the pedal by adjusting it before so may well have overadjusted

To get 70 out of a that engine is going some. It's (and the rest of the vehicle) isn't designed for that sort of speed.Eventually something will fail big style.

Wasnt straining whatsoever going 70 in overdrive. It wasnt even full throttle, had to back off as it was still accelearating

When my granddad had it he always went around 70

You must leave some free play in the brake and clutch pedals or they will not fully release and you end up with the brakes sticking on. It's about 1.5mm play on the clutch can't remember on the brakes.

70mph is fine with an overdrive