The company that just recently rebuilt my carburetor included 2 gaskets for the phenolic spacer that sits between the carb and the intake manifold. The top one matches the spacer, but the bottom one is lacking a U-shaped cutout that corresponds to a U-shaped channel routed in the spacer that directs the re-circulated gases from the PCV valve back to two additional holes in the maifold. The rebuild company says the gasket I was sent "will work". And it may well work, as it provides a path for the gases to the manifold, directly via one of the larger barrel openings. But I see some re-build kits that include a gasket with the U-shaped cutout, and have to think there is a reason the spacer was designed the way that it was. My questions are:

1. Do I really need to replace the gaskets on either side of the spacer in the first place? The gaskets that are still attached are well attached, and probably won't come off without a fight. There are raised areas on the gaskets that were not compressed when installed, so not sure if the existing gaskets will seal properly or not as the rest of the gasket is already "compressed".
2. Would it be OK to just add new gaskets to what are already attached to the spacer?

Please see pictures below of my existing spacer with the new gaskets I was sent, the existing spacer and existing gaskets, the intake manifold, and an example of a rebuild kit that includes 4 gaskets (vs. just 2)





Intake manifold with outline of U-shaped gasket opening and two additional holes in manifold

 

1) If the gaskets are intact on the heat insulator (what you refer to as 'spacer') then I'd just clean the manifold surface and go with it.
2) I would not add new gaskets with the gaskets still intact on the insulator.

With the gasket(s) still intact on the insulator, you could clean off the old gasket and use the gasket you were sent with the big cutout or buy a rebuild kit to get the other one.

 

The factory gaskets are bonded to the heat insulator/spacer.

As stated above, if the factory gaskets are still intact, just reuse the heat insulator as is and check for vacuum leaks.

If you want to spend the extra money, you still can by the OEM heat insulator with bonded gaskets:

https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/...912-35050.html

 

Thanks prcnctoyo and old87yota for your replies, for additional information about the heat insulator/spacer, and for your suggestions.

I decided to make my own gaskets, including one with an opening to match the routed "U" shaped channel in the underside of the heat insulator/spacer. While my original factory bonded gaskets were still intact, I wanted to be sure I had a tight seal, so I left the factory gaskets in place and just added my new ones. I couldn't think of any downside to doing this, but if either of you know of one, I'd like to know.


Gaskets I made, as compared to gaskets supplied by carburetor rebuilder.

Carburetor has been re-installed, and have only done a short test drive so far, but so far so good.

 

The only problem you could run into adding another gasket is an incomplete seal leading to vacuum leaks.

If you don't have any vacuum leaks, you should be good to go.