Hate to tell you this, but 2 layers is all the building code will normally allow you to have on your roof at a time. If the top shingles are brittle and curling....well....time for a tear-off. Sorry, but you really don't have much choice.
You are right, roofing felt, starter course and first shingle course......all should progressively overlap the drip molding by about 1/4" for each course.