Thanks Brian the card trick sounds great. You are right i need to excessive some patience and fit each one indivually.
I have reamed the bore which is 5/16 the tappetts are 1/4, the o rings 1/16. Its only the o ring in contact with the bore
I did measure 1 tappett again tonight and found it to be dead on 3/16.
I could take say 5 thou off the ring groove?
Or ream the bore oversize as you suggest.
Thanks for all your help and advice
john