This morning my starter went out on my 2001 Ford Expedition (5.4 liter V8), so I decided to let it sit in my driveway until I returned home this evening with a new one. The vehicle barely has over 100K on it, and it hauls like nobody's business. Naturally, the rain is coming down pretty good, my garage is not yet finished (concrete floor in the pole barn literally being poured tomorrow), and its getting dark. No problem -- I have done this before. One time in a Staples parking lot with my 1996 Aerostar.
Well, that little starter is really wedged up in there and one of the three bolts cannot be seen, only "felt".
Needless to say, I needed to have hands that were much smaller than mine. It took me almost 2 hours!!! to get that thing out, get a new one in and fire her up! Humbling experience. Felt pretty dumb.
I will never complain about the y block starter again. Heavy? sure. Tight? well, not compared to most. Accessible from the top of the engine compartment? You bet! 
Ok, I'm done.
Daniel JessupLancaster, California
aka "The Hot Rod Reverend" 
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com