well i'll be....
fab'd a new O-ring using 5.5mm silicone stock (
https://www.mcmaster.com/1187n19) - installed with red rubber brake caliper grease. short 7 mile run, and checked the bottom of the primary - ZERO LEAK! can't believe it was the O-ring and/or a combination of the O-ring and standard automotive grease all along. anyway, looks like I may have finally fixed the thing. got it sitting on a fresh piece of cardboard - we'll see if I get any "spotting" overnight. happy camper -