recap

97 civic,:: changed Plugs had trouble putting # 1 plug tight going in debated on putting it in all the way, did,, to tap this head I would have to remove the head ?...... Car works good 328 000 km on it should I be worried...

SpdySylvrEX

This post hardly makes any sense.
Did you strip the plug? are you afraid you stripped the block? What?

I am pretty sure the plugs are a lot weaker than the head. Try taking that plug back out and look at the threads. If they look okay, put them back in. If not, put a new plug in. Before you put a new plug in, try to inspect the threads in the head with a flashlight. IF WHILE YOU ARE PUTTING THE NEW PLUG IN, IF IT'S NOT GOING IN RIGHT, STOP. But yes, if you have to re-tap the holes for the plugs, you should remove the head. You don't want metal shavings in your combustion chamber.

ezone

There are ways.
I'd tell you to visit a reputable machine shop and discuss.

Most of the tools available (at the regular parts stores) to do the work weren't designed to fit inside the spark plug tubes, so they have to be heavily modified to do the job you need.
I could run a thread chaser down it. Then if that didn't work....
A thread insert likely could be done if very careful, without pulling the head. Inadvertently damaging the valves is the problem, and there isn't much room to make the plug hole any bigger.
An insert will be "iffy" to put in, but if done properly it will last just fine.

Again, visit a reputable machine shop and discuss.

ezone

Aluminum head, steel plug. Guess which one gets damaged first.

Could also be carbon in the threads.
I wonder if the old plug came out hard.


If it has to be tapped, you grease the tap so it will hold the chips.
Aluminum chips will get blown out, if any get dropped in the cylinder.