as grumps has said

DON'T drop the gearbox ... NO need to do that. just use the extension & socket, pain getting it done [did on me CFI motor] coz of limited space ... but not much ya canna do about that

thanks. Just about to start

Thanks for your help people. Got a starter motor from the wreckers for $50 that the guy tested in front of me, and it had a good strong solenoid and motor.

The job was not super hard, but the top bolt is not easy to get to. You can't see what you are doing, and it was only with the car high on the axel stand that I had enough room to get both arms in the area to work the ratchet. I enjoyed the work, because I had all day to do it, and as the car would not run, I could not get it to a mechanic without the hassle (and cost) of a tow. I would not begrudge a mechanic $100 for doing it though, especially if I did not have the time, enough tools for the job, and some off street area to work in.

The wreckers I got it from was clean with all equipment sorted into neatly stacked racks and hooks. I had a chat to the guy when I rode in, and he complained that the business was hard. I know what he means, no one my way maintains their own car. If the ash tray gets full, they buy a new one. There has been so much focus on quality manufacture done cheap as hell by making the stuff overseas where work conditions are not regulated, there is no respect for manufacturing stuff any more.

Anyhow, the guys are good I thought, and will be buying stuff from them again, as they are local: