Pushrod tube leaks come back like Freddie Krueger

[guards73/2.0]

I just did a top end rebuild on my 73 2.0
and I got a leak when I had the drivetrain up on sawhorses and filled the crankcase.
I used NEW pushrod tubes, NEW seals and
fresh rebuilt heads. I looked underneath and
saw that I'd banged the new, tight rod tubes
into the lifter bores all the way, and the seals in were actually VISIBLE in the heads!
I just took a scfrewdriver and tapped on the
inside-head-side flanges to move them more to the head side and that seemed to stop it.
Is this normal?

[mejulihn]

Pushrod tube leaks are common and it sounds like yours may not have been properly seated. A word of caution though -- conventional wisdom among 914 owners strongly recommends that you use no tools on these delicate parts. They are easily damaged and should be able to be seated with lubrication and patience only by hand.

[Jake Raby]

It literally takes years to learn how to seal the tubes off bone dry....

Our engines go to 30K sometimes with not a drop of oil underneath..

I use the VITON seals, which are easy to cut, but very tough and last forever.

Despite the myths about not using sealant on them, I have an unconventional method and sealant that works great, e mail me and I will explain....