with star drags (I've gone greased carbon fiber all 10 of my sealines, plus a calcutta,, a luna my abus, a few lo pro casting reels, also all my dads toriums, saltists, etc.) excess lube is not a big deal. it'll just squeeze out. unless of course you use half the container
I wouldn't worry about it. as long as the drag stack is the same size, and as long as all the parts fit the same and there's no problem. the gear sleeve collar, if the drag star has the same range of movement, it's fine. button down and see where it maxes. if it is (on a 40/50 series) around 16-17, which you'd never fish anway, it's fine. then pull off line. in a few short bursts, and check if all bursts hold the same. loosen half way, check again. if it's consistent and it holds, you're good.
think about the drag stack, you're applying pressure to it. excess is squeezed out, and the grease is there to lube it to make it smooth. the grease won't affect the pressure applied by the star and collar, and since they don't absorb anything, they aren't going to swell or whatever.
as for increased drag, yeah you get a little, but it's not really all that much. it's the quality of drag that's immeasurably better than the quantity. earlier this week was on a boat in a good c-bass bite off pt. mugu in oxnard. and of course I hook into a huuuuuuge bat ray. what else
the thing goes on a freaking tear, probably burns 50+ yds of line on my sealine 40x. as smooth as can be. no jerking on startup, no stickiness, just amazingly smooth, strong, consistent drag. that's the real gain.
lever drags and grease are a different issue. I've not opened up my avet. probably won't either.