Working on my '72 340 .My question is about the tips of the side seals sticking out of both sides of the rear cap .Should I cut them flush with the sides of the cap before installing the oil pan? or are they supposed to be compressed at the time of the oil pan installation?

THank you in advance.

Cut them flush otherwise the pan end seal will not sit flush on the pan rail surface. Pus a "SMALL" bead of sillycone at the cap to block intersection.