Here's some pics to see the drag and handle modifications. There were some questions about whether a TE handle would really go on a Cardiff. You can see the pics and decide if you wanna do it. If you've never taken a reel apart, just start from the outside and work your way sequentially in, then sequentially out putting it back together. You can cheat and pop the side plate off by unscrewing the three big screws, but you only want to do that if you just need to get to the spool.

The dartanium drag washer sits inside the largest gear. You want to lube it up with Shimano drag grease before setting it in place. Just rub the grease on your fingers and rub it over the washer, then set it in. You don't need a ton, just a thin layer all over the washer. You can also put a little on the bottom of the metal washer that sits on top. To get these washers out, carefully pry them out with a screwdriver or the tip of a sharp knife. You don't want to scratch the edge of the metal washer or cut into the dartanium washer on accident.
http://www.calfishing.com/images/reels/all_parts.jpg

You can see there is about 1/16" gap on the handle. By screwing down the nut a little tighter than normal, you can fish it like this OK. It's worked no problem for me for a few trips now.
http://www.calfishing.com/images/reels/te_handle_gap.jpg

All happy now
http://www.calfishing.com/images/reels/cardiff_300_mods.jpg