Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): craftsman ride on mower, inch lbs, cast aluminum

Question
QUESTION: need to take the starter out, do I have to take the flywheel off, and is it torqued down.

thanks

ANSWER: No it is nt necessary to remoce the flywheel to take the starter off.  The bolts are torqurd to 230 inch lbs.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i have unscrewed the top bolt of starter out and the top is hitting flywheel, unsure how to get it out now, without taking flywheel off.  (do you need puller to take flywheel off)..do not really want to do that.
thank you

Answer
If it is a 12V electric starter that hangs on the side of the engine there are two bolts holding it on.  You usually take off the blower housing, the cover over the flywheel.  The ring gear is on the bottom of the flywheel and to remove that you would have to remove the flywheel.  The bendix gear might be hitting the flywheel but you would see that with the blower housing removed.  The mounting bolts go through the cast aluminum portion of the starter motor.  Hope this better explains the process.