25 HP Johnson spark plug stripped

[tfesemyer]

The top spark plug hole in the cylinder head is stripped. I was reading another posting here about getting a heli-coil at the auto store. I picked one up but it is too big diameter wise. Do these things have to be tapped and drilled to fit the new heli-coil; or did I just buy a wrong size diameter?I e-mailed Twin City Outboard and they want $85 for a new head and gasket kit. How hard is that to put on?Thanks in advance!

[djzyla1980]

Heads and gaskets aren't really that hard... If you don't break any bolts... Spray um down good couple of days with penetrating oil, before you turn a bolt and spray couple times each day until. Heli coils work good when done right. I've used them myself. But hole has got to be drilled larger and so forth. I have found if it's a little more expensive to change the problem part and it could save me on time now or in the future... replace instead of repair... If you replace you will not have to worry about any probs... cept the bolt a breakin while takin the head off