Yes, auto part stores do seem to have the material, which one is questionable. I will have to buy a bunch and make a call. Do you have any thoughts what kind of material I may be looking for?
I have only seen one and it was kind of soft and not hard like others I have used.
This is a page from McMaster Carr for what they have available.
Water-Resistant Lightweight Fiber Gasket Material
These paper-thin sheets are commonly used for light-duty gasketing. Cut with scissors or a utility knife.Paperfiber/Buna-Nrubberblend sheets resist water and some types of oil.Paperfiber/SBRrubberblend sheets resist water and abrasion. Paper Fiber/Buna-N Rubber Blend
Just try to find something that is applicable to the temperature and is about the same thickness.
Cutting small holes can be difficult.
Paper punches can be handy but if a different size is required there are all sorts of things you can repurpose.
Something as simple as a piece of brake line can be sharpened and punched, you may have to resharpen after each use tho.
A leather punch is also a handy item as it usually has a wheel with an assortment of hole sizes
The only rule with making gaskets is cleanly cut edges.
(folds/creases in the material must be avoided too)
Or per Burntboot's other suggestion, you could get a lower end gasket kit........then you'd have some extra gaskets for the next time something starts leaking.
Personally, I am not a huge fan.
I think it depends as much on the gasket material, as much as anything else.
I mostly use it as glue these days, like when installing a gasket upside down, a couple of dabs/light smear will keep it in place till bolted up.
Toyo FIPG is different again, a far more useful product in my mind.
Hopefully Tim will advise, as he knows this stuff far better than me.
And I know it's a dead horse but am gonna kick it anyway.
If using RTV type products, make sure you get Oxy sensor safe.
Around these parts they still sell the stuff that isnt friendly to O2 sensors, so it pays to read the package first.
YMMV
Different mechanics have differing opinions and/practices. I don't fault anybody for doing things the way they do, but personally I like FIPG. I use it in various places and it's never let me down. The only other thing I use is Aviation Form A Gasket, but that's only to help seal freeze plugs (while driving them in). I think I pretty much explain the use of these products in MY BLOG and on THIS THREAD. Tim
Good points for sure. I did order in the lower gasket set Tim linked me to. It comes with this stuff that I never heard of. I can get the FIPG from amazon but will have to wait till the 18th to get it. It is such a job getting that housing out I really don't want to do it for a third time. So I am leaning toward something. So I guess I will order this in so I have it for the new gasket. Attached is a pic of what the gasket set comes with.
For the particular gasket you're replacing, I don't put anything there, I just assemble using a dry gasket. Make sure the sealing surfaces are clean and flat and you should be good. If the gasket has been folded or there's a gouge in one of the sealing surfaces, I would put a dab of FIPG just on that spot. If you want/need FIPG right away, just go to your local Toyota Dealer. The parts department also supports the shop and I would guess they always have ~ a dozen tubs of this stuff on hand at all times. If you go that route, be prepared to pay $20 or more for the tube. If I had a choice of Gasket Maker or FIPG and the FIPG cost me ~$20 plus a trip to town, I'd still choose the FIPG. Tim