[patkeefe]

Posting this for posterity:
I pulled the pulley end seal off. I used the two drill screws and a nail puller method, as it leaves the seal more intact.

The spring was indeed off, and lying on the crankshaft. So, it probably would have lasted for a while, and then rubbed out the rubber lip and leaked.

I took the seal and reinstalled it with my homemade tool, to see how the spring fell off, so as not to repeat it with a new seal. I suppose if It gets inserted carefully, and I stop and inspect it on the install. and use lots of oil on it, it will be fine. I can't help but think that lots of these little seals are installed incorrectly and don't have problems related to said install. Maybe they are way more durable than I think.

Some random photos of the install and remove experiments. I've gotten good at putting it in without the spring falling off.