I was reading Gary_602z's posting on the Predator engine replacement. 100 bucks 20 minutes and 2 pulls! I went to Harbor Freight today. On the engine they stock, the the rope comes out the wrong side. Right next to the beam on my splitter. Everything else measures up perfectly. For those of you more mechanically incline than me. Could I just remove the four bolts that hold the housing of the starter and rotate it 90 degrees without having to rewind the rope? Tried to start the splitter yesterday. Wouldn't start, even with a drink of ether. Had to split up kindling the old fashion way. Getting to old to swing an axe. I've been having starting problems for a couple of years. It may be time for a new engine. At a little over $100 for the engine, I can't see taking the splitter in to the engine repair shop.
I can't speak specifically on the Predator engine, but I have done just what you want to do on a Honda engine, which is what Predator has copied. And no worries, when you unbolt the starter nothing inside will come undone.
Starters are intended to be modular, rotating it 90 degrees shouldn't be an issue but just mind which direction you'll need to pull the rope. If you have to pull it out at an awkward angle causing it to rub against the bushing, the rope will wear and break quickly, inconveniencing you with the repair and most importantly, putting you at risk for an injury.
If it's like the Hondas that it resembles you will be fine the recoil assembly is mounted inside that cover and self contained so just like you thought those few bolts and give'er a spin no problem
