The steering column can be retracted onto the seat and to rest the wheel. Then the older type starter can be pulled up and out. It depends on the car. One more thing, on the 340 LA and old 1 5/8" headers that only fit old starters, due to the pipe hitting the new position of the mini starter. Yup, I had to buy a newer style header to use the starter. I needed the mini starter to clear the SFI, 3 bolt pattern flexplate with a larger O.D. The SFI Flexplate will interfere with the bendex gear on the large starter in a small 998 trans. Plus I had to beat a dent into the wide oil pan flare to clear the new header. What a pain, just to upgrade a 998 trans. flexplate to a solid SFI- 5/16" bolt hole, for an 11" 2800 rpm converter. Just Saying!!