Hi Bilks,
thanks again for your input. There seems to be some confusion on this issue. It would appear that some MH349s did not have the "O" Rings, but a steel washer. Mine definitely had "O" Rings fitted. I must admit I was surprised to find them in that location . I had a hell of a job removing them and burned them out with great difficulty. They seemed to have been made from a very tough and resilient rubber !.
As my engine had never been stripped from new .....they were obviously factory fitted.
Not sure what my best course of action is now ?.
Regards,
Ally Straker.