72 johnson 50 hp spark plug thread repair

[rookie456]

I did a compression check yesterday. Top cylinder 128#, bottom 130#. After reading posts about compression checks I decided to check again with engine warmed up. Couldnt get tester to thread in top cylinder so I checked bottom, bottom cylinder 140#. Then I notice the reason I cant thread tester into top cylinder is because the threaded insert the previous owner put in came out with the spark plug. Not sure what brand the insert is, but it is a solid one, not a coil. I am wondering the best way to fix this is. should i try to get another insert in the head, or should i try to get another head. I saw a head listed on ebay, had slight pitting on one cylinder. Is slight pitting bad? Thanks in advance to anyone replying.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: 72 johnson 50 hp spark plug thread repair

Hi
I cant comment about the sparkplug thread but i can about the head.
A bit of pitting wouldnt concern me so long as it isnt wear the gasket mates up to it.
Another insert sounds cheaper if done properly, as you wouldnt want the thread coming off and bouncing around in the cylinder