I had a 4/5 rod that was so poorly inletted no reel would fit, and I had to go at it with sandpaper. My present 262-3 at least had the seat inletted, but they all are too short, such that the ends of the reel foot are resting on cork that is sloping up and preventing the foot from nesting into the mortised/inletted area. I think having a go at it with sandpaper is the only way to make them serviceable. I'm not a fan of grinding the finish off the top of reel feet with rings that are too tight.
This reminds me that I still have to replace the enormous tip-top with something not suited for a 12 weight rod!