How to remove the starter motor as it looks impossible to ge to the nuts to my old Ford Transit ,are there special tools .I don't want to make any small holes to have to remove it

which mark version /model /year transit van do you have

most starter motors for the ford transit diesel or petrol
show pictures as only two bolts to hold them on
between exhaust and motor/gearbox housing

Ford Transit Starter Motor Starter Motor For Sale New and Used

this one with three bolts may be a bit of a problem


FORD TRANSIT MK3 MK4 MK5 2.5 D Di TD 2.5 DIESEL NEW RMFD STARTER MOTOR 86-00

you could do this your self but as you don't know the basic of where to look for it, servicing it your self will cost you more money than what it is worth
An accredited auto electrician is a better option to diagnose the fault as it most likely not the starter but a relay that is faulty

Hi, if you have the 3.0 liter engine, see instructions below. If you have the 4.6 liter, the starter is under the intake manifold.

Removal & Installation

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Negative battery cable Starter electrical connectors Right hand catalytic converter Right side engine mount nuts Intake air resonator to the throttle body ducts
   
3. Install an Engine Support Fixture to the right side of the engine.
4. Raise the right side of the engine approximately 1.5 inches (38mm) to gain access to the starter motor bolts.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Engine mount from the bracket and cradle Engine mount bracket bolts and reposition the bracket Starter motor
6. 
   
7. 
   
   
   

   Fig. Remove the starter motor and bolts
   
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   Starter motor. Torque the bolts to 44 ft. lbs. (60 Nm). Engine mount to the bracket and front crossmember. Torque the bolts to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).
   
2. Lower the engine into position and make certain that the mount locator tab is fully seated in the front crossmember slot.
3. Remove the special tools from the engine.
4. Install or connect the following:
   
   Engine mount nuts. Torque the upper nut to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm) and the lower nut to 41 ft. lbs. (55 Nm). Intake air resonator to the throttle body ducts Catalytic converter. Torque the bolt to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm) and the nuts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm). Starter electrical connectors. Torque the battery cable nut to 115 inch lbs. (13 Nm) and the starter solenoid nut to 35 inch lbs. (4 Nm). Negative battery cable

No there is not a trick, just very tight. If you aren't using a socket set with an extention it is almost impossible to get the bolts out though.

Here is the picture:
https://www.dragtimes.com/parts/FORD-EXPEDITION-STARTER-46L-1997-1998-NEW_160456310228.html


And this is removal manual:
Starter
Removal & Installation
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
3. Remove the starter terminal cover.
4. Remove the terminal nut and separate the battery starter cable from the starter motor.
5. Disconnect the solenoid (S) terminal connector, if equipped with a starter mounted solenoid.
? To disconnect the hard-shell connector from the solenoid (S) terminal, grasp the plastic shell and pull off; do not pull on the wire. Pull straight off to prevent damage to the connector and (S) terminal.
6. Remove the starter motor retaining bolts.
7. Remove the starter motor from the vehicle.
To Install:
8. Place the starter motor in position and install the starter motor retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts to 15-20 ft. lbs. (20-27 Nm).
9. Install the battery starter cable and a terminal nut to the starter motor. Tighten the terminal nuts to 79 inch lbs. (9 Nm).
10. Connect the solenoid (S) terminal connector, if equipped with a starter mounted solenoid.
11. Install the starter solenoid safety cap. If equipped.
12. Lower the vehicle.
13. Connect the negative battery cable.
Start the engine several times to check starter motor

There is a special tool to push on the shaft of your wiper while pulling on the wiper arm itself. A way to get around this is to put the nut on loosely and pull up on the wiper arm while tapping on the nut with a hammer. BE CAREFULL NOT TO DAMAGE THE THREADS!

The best place to get a piece of glass would be to call an auto glass business in your area. They will deal with cutting the mastic (window adhesive), removing the old window and installing the new window.
When they get done, they will gaurantee that the window will not leak.

STARTER - REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
4.2L, 4.6L, 5.4L and 6.8L Engines


Fig. 1 Remove the starter terminal cover


Fig. 2 Remove the cables from the starter terminals


Fig. 3 If equipped, remove the ground cable retaining nut from the stud and remove the ground cable


Fig. 4 Remove the two starter retaining bolts-4.2L engine shown


Fig. 5 Remove the two starter retaining bolts-4.6L engine shown, 5.4L and 6.8L engines similar

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
3. Remove the starter terminal cover.
4. Remove the terminal nut and separate the battery starter cable from the starter motor.
5. Disconnect the solenoid S terminal connector, if equipped with a starter mounted solenoid.

To disconnect the hard-shell connector from the solenoid S terminal, grasp the plastic shell and pull off; do not pull on the wire. Pull straight off to prevent damage to the connector and S terminal.

1. Remove the starter motor retaining bolts.
2. Remove the starter motor from the vehicle.

To install:

1. Place the starter motor in position and install the starter motor retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts to 15-20 ft. lbs. (20-27 Nm).
2. Install the battery starter cable and a terminal nut to the starter motor. Tighten the terminal nuts to 79 inch lbs. (9 Nm).
3. Connect the solenoid S terminal connector, if equipped with a starter mounted solenoid.
4. Install the starter solenoid safety cap, if equipped.
5. Lower the vehicle.
6. Connect the negative battery cable.
7. Start the engine several times to check starter motor operation.

I hope thats helped (remember rated this).

you have to use a strong screwdriver . place it between two bolts on the converter to hold it while you use your rachet wrench to loosen the bolts

you mite need a crows foot wrench.

i have a 2001y reg transit tipper and i think the starter motor is going when i go to start it like grinds then some times it starts perfect