I will say this, I took the starter out of my 95 3.0 with the heads off, exhaust off, and all the junk out of the way, and it was still a bear. I dropped the A/C compressor just to get to the front starter bolt, even with everything out, you will not be able to see it. People do get the starter out with everything in the vehicle, but you have to put your work in.
Do some more starter searching, probably as popular as "blown head gasket" on this forum.
Good Luck