The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay comression check

If the lever that slides the starter shaft into the flywheel and contacts the starter button on the top of the starter is still there it should be fairly simple. With the sheetmetal on my 38 I simply use a long/heavy screwdriver to pry against the sheetmetal and force the starter shaft lever forward to engage the flywheel and starter button. I do that with one hand while holding the compression tester with the other. Since your sheetmetal is gone you should be able to rig something to pry against or simply push the lever forward with your hand. It doesn't require that much force.