Brake pedal is really stiff

There isn't really any pumping action to it. There's about an inch of pedal play and then it's damn near as hard as a rock after that. It's not like my Duster where first thing in the morning the pedal travels farther than normal. Once I back out of the driveway and head down the street, the pedal is back up to normal. This Valiant pedal is just the same no matter what.

I'm going to replace the front shoes and get a smaller bore MC and see what happens.

I was going to suggest checking for pedal pushrod length. I think someone else had mentioned the pushrod being engaged in the master cylinder properly. I was thinking it could just be building pressure without fully releasing. If you crack a bleeder, does it just dribble out, or more of a squirt?