Thanks guys. I installed a new set of cam seals again last night. If they end up leaking from the same spot again I'd like to say it's the cam gear, but I dont have any play when I try and twist the front and back of the gear sooo...
Pretty sure I've solved the mystery here. When I was seating the cam seals I used an old seal to absorb tapping with a socket extension to fully seat the seal. My issue seems to stem from user error from me tapping the seals too hard to the point when the back of the seals would get slightly mushed. I compared the old seals with brand new ones and it was obvious. Old Seals: New Seal: After that I decided to go back to the seals I installed last night and sure enough I had pinched one of those. With this new information I've installed 2 more new cam seals with extra care not to apply too much force against the seals. So the moral of the story is, when seating your cam seals, don't beat them into place like a redheaded step child. Just make sure everything is clean, grease/oil/dirt free, seat the seal firmly and you should be good to go.
Camgears don't have to have any play in them to leak. If they have sufficient play in them, they usually become noisy. Cam seals usually only have to be tapped squarely into place. I have never had to use sealant on them. Not sure what you have against redheaded step children, I've had two and they have both been clean. grease and dirt free!
To add to what Martin said a good smear of vaseline goes a long way on assembly. Overkill maybe but better safe as they say. A 1/4" socket extension is the perfect size to chase the around the edge of the seal and make sure it is seated firmly.
You already have BDE VTC gears - the 12 screws around the center hub are a signature of my product, and you will not be able to spin the rear seal plate because I install a dowel pin to prevent this from happening. I would like to see a picture of the back of the VTCs... if they are leaking, you would see a profuse amount of oil radiating out from the black anodized cover on the back of the VTCs.
Thanks everyone for all the advice. I got the car back together with new springs, o-rings, and 2 new cam seals properly seated this time. Awesome news about me already having BDE cam gears! This car had many undocumented upgraded parts from at least one of the former owners, so yay me! Lol This particular leak is the last hiccup in my rebuild and it will be good to know the vtc gear leak will never be an issue for me.
