Figured it out...so thought I'd share the solution... The pipe ends had a small flared out lip that you couldn't see but you could feel it... That edge was cutting into and destroying the the gsskets... I gound and sanded the edges to a smooth tapered in...put windex on the end of the pipe as a lubricant that would evaporate without leaving a film...took a screwdriver snd and lightly rolled it around the lead inside edge of the gasket...and voila...the gasket went on nice and smooth... Thanks for all your help...
