The first step is to clean out the damaged port using a mill. Take measurements, then make the threaded inserts out of round stock. Cut inserts to size, and drop them in. The holes are usually so damaged that once they clean up you just drop them in hole and weld. Most often the head is preheated for better weld penetration. In the case of Tim's head [play on words here] there was amply empty space to fill in around the insert.
Graeme,
Do you use the 750 pipes on your MK3? I've had the balance tube connection on the header break at the weld where it allowed the header pipe to shake loose and I lost the split washer. You don't even want to have that happen. That and the fact the steel nut will eat the threads up as it comes loose.
Tim_S