disconnect the battery......before i put new starters on at work i always mark a spot in the flywheel and turn it all the way around once checking all the teeth. no need to throw on a new starter on a damaged flywheel.
Did it once on my '93 2.3, It was simple, My Bro and I did it, him working from the top, me on the bottom, took us like 15 mins. THe bolts on the top can be a pain to get to but its not all bad.