Only reason im asking is cause im afraid i muffed it up trying to get an old gasket that was siliconed on off.

 

Are you using the stock nikki carb? If you are then yes, the spacer is needed. Also, there is no gasket used with the stock setup. It might look like a gasket but it isn't.

 

Associated with that question, could you trim off that extra black area not directly under the spacer? Just curious. Thinking it would clear up that area as far as look.

 

yes, but it does shield the carb from heat a little bit

 

The rebuild kit came with a gasket for throttle body to spacer and spacer to manifold. So i had assumed what looks like old gaskets on the spacer. Well tried to remove one, realized im doing more harm than good and stopped. Used rtv silicon with the old gasket to patch any uneven surfaces. Not sure if it will work with new gaskets on top of it. I may be in the market for a new spacer.

The new gaskets

 

I found this picture that showes the plastic carb spacer. On top the plastic it appears that it could be a gasket but it is not a removable gasket. I've never rebuilt a nikki to know if the gaskets you have pictured are needed.

 

I got it all together. My jerry riged spacer fix apparently works. Car seems to drive fine. Im also glad that after the 30 hours non stop ive been working on her i managed to get it all back together right the first the first time.

 

Mine broke it was made out of bakelite or some cheap material.

 

The spacer is made of phenolic, so it can be gas proof and heat insulating.

The heat shield also helps prevent any fuel leaking from the carb (which can happen even with a bad flood) from dripping directly on to the exhaust manifold / thermal reactor.

The 'gasket' surfaces are meant to be permanent; they are bonded to the spacer at the factory & the various manuals warn against removing them.

 

Ahhhhh! I'm learning here too! Thanks for posting!