Dave,
According to www.ngksparkplugs.com, a 1974 QT50 takes a BP4HS gapped at .028"
If this is the plug you got from the dealer, the crud you found on the lower threads may have been from the threads left exposed by the short plug.
You should be able to look in the hole with a flash light and see how many threads you have in the head.
Beware the Tasmanian Devils!
Ron