Is there a way to beef up the drag on these reels? Thanks
yes, by rearranging the belleville spring washers, but you will crack the frame for sure.
To piggyback on Alan's comment, cracked frames are why there are/were at least 2 companies making replacement frames for that specific reel....Wilfish and Tiburon. by the time up upgrade the drag and add a frame, you could buy a pretty clean used Penn International, Shimano Tiagra or Avet.