After my stressful starter-related problems as narrated at http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=242435, I just have to add a suggestion here to those facing a starter removal.

Invest in the right tools. On my first starter removal, I got away with using a 3/8" allen-head socket to remove the dreaded top bolt from the starter. That was a foolish move, and I consider myself lucky because the bolt was not nearly as tight as others have related on many threads on this and other forums. I was able to break the bolt free using only my 3/8" ratchet drive and no cheater bar/pipe extension. Some folks used 3-feet of additional leverage and still couldn't budge their bolts free.

So, when I realized that I would need to drop my starter a second time, I went to my local Sears retail store (the small strip-mall sized shop) and picked up a fresh set of metric allen-head sockets (I was missing the 10mm in my old set).

When I used that new 10mm allen-head socket on the upper starter bolt today, it was harder to seat the tool in the bolt's head. But that additional effort was WAY less than what would be required to remove an allen bolt that has been stripped by a worn or incorrectly sized tool.

Also, before you condemn your starter, CHECK YOUR BATTERY CABLES!