i have done the sneaky pete a few times it has allways worked for me. now one other thing to check . plastic gage the main clearance on the bearing some times you have to use a new one and i once had to go .001 under.

as for this stagering the seal ends don't like it. i have built many motors and never had a seal leak and i put them in at 3 and 9 o'clock with a dab of sealent.