Hi John,
Thanks for the OK contact address, I could do with some glow heads and the web site is not good! Regarding the removal of the starter mechanism, I will have to be desperate to call OK. The real fun in messing with engines is learning the hard way!!!!!!! But if I don't get it figured, then I will do as you suggest. Right now the engine is in the freezer (my wife is away!). I have a small puller standing by. Will let you know if it works.
As an aside, the one reason I would never go electric is because I love working with and on these cantankerous IC engines! If you just want to fly, then electric is easy, no challenge in the motive power dept. Someone said I had only 10 years left, before electric took over all C/L. That is just rubbish, I make my own fuel and I have enough engines to last me several lifetimes. Mental note ......... don't buy anymore engines!
Andrew.