Bought a 97 5 speed for 600 bucks. Ran great. Drove it for a few days and decided to start fixing leaks. Previous owner said it had been eating small amounts of antifreeze lately. Decided to do a compression test to get a baseline. Cylinder 1 had 175 psi. 2 had a helicoil come out intact on plug, no test. 3 plug came out ok. Threaded gauge in. Turned over engine, gauge blows out into garage. I look inside and can see metal on top of piston. Long story short, pulled the head. Here are pics of metal and of piston. I have a new head on order. What will be my end result if I run it with some gouging on piston top? It's not severe but it is there. If you run your finger over it you can feel it slightly. Worried!

 

I'd be tempted to slap the new head on there and drive it until the motor quits.

 

It will be fine, just clean the tops of the pistons up with some scotch brite pads.

 

Thank you both, new head will arrive Thursday and I will proceed with the reheading!! I cleaned tops tonite.

 

Head arrived and Imwas successful thanks to all your help!!! I appreciate all feedback received!